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MRC and Other Emergency Preparedness Volunteer Groups

What is the difference between the MRC and the emergency response and preparedness groups in existence?

The MRC is a specialized component of Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security. The mission of the MRC is specific and specialized; it is to establish teams of local volunteer medical and public health professionals who can contribute their skills and expertise throughout the year and during times of community need. Although other emergency response and preparedness groups rely on volunteerism, the MRC primarily focuses on the skills of local volunteer medical and public health professionals to be used during times of emergencies or disasters.

Can I volunteer in more than one group?

Yes. The MRC program does not discourage volunteers from supporting other groups. MRC Unit Coordinators determine prospective volunteers' availability and whether they have other obligations that are particularly related to other disasters or response situations. Membership in both a Disaster Medical Assistance Team and an MRC unit or in an MRC unit and a Red Cross volunteer group could prove problematic unless there is proper coordination and integration between these organizations. These issues should be discussed with response partners during the planning process.

MRC units will not want to rely too much on volunteers who will be committed elsewhere, but units can still use volunteers who have other commitments. In these cases, the other obligations must be well documented and considered in the planning process.

What is the Citizen Corps?

The Citizen Corps is a national volunteer network dedicated to providing hometown security. The mission of Citizen Corps is “to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.”

Its mission is accomplished through a national network of state, local, and tribal Citizen Corps Councils. These Councils use community strengths to incorporate the Citizen Corps programs. 

Last Updated on 4/22/2009