Home > How to Start an MRC >
Technical Assistance Series
As part of its effort to support the growth of Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units across the United States, the MRC Program Office has developed a series of technical assistance publications that address topics considered important for MRC units.
Feel free to download the ones that can best help your local efforts. Check periodically for updates and additions to these topics:
- The Technical Assistance Series Book Cover and Table of Contents
[PDF (672 KB)]
A book cover titled “Technical Assistance Series” and a numbered Table of Contents for those who want to print and bind all publications in one master document.
- Getting Started: A Guide for Local Leaders
[PDF (864 KB)]
Every MRC functions differently. The first step in forming a unit is to carefully evaluate your local situation. It is important to secure a broad base of support from others in your community. Identifying and acquiring resources will be essential to meeting your MRC's operational needs.
- Organizing an MRC Unit: Operational Components and the Coordinator's Role
[PDF (809 KB)]
The coordinator's main job is matching community needs for emergency medical response and public health initiatives with local volunteer capabilities. Establishing and sustaining the unit's internal organization also is a priority.
- Coordinating With Your Local Response Partners
[PDF (897 KB)]
MRC units supplement a community's existing emergency medical response capabilities and public health infrastructure. Coordinating with local response partners is critical, as is developing and nurturing a broad network of partners. Drilling with response partners will be necessary, as will close communications during and after an actual crisis or engagement.
- Developing Volunteer Relationships and Capabilities
[PDF (938 KB)]
Developing volunteer capabilities is a key mandate for every MRC unit. The process begins by getting the word out to the community. As volunteers are screened and matched with existing needs, they must be informed of any risks associated with their MRC activities. They also will require additional training.
- Establishing and Maintaining Your MRC Unit's Organization
[PDF (893 KB)]
A well-run organization is the foundation for every successful MRC unit. Information must be tracked and updated for volunteers and local partners. Policies must be established and followed. Operating funds will have to be solicited, along with leveraged public and private sector resources. Planning—strategically, financially, and operationally—is an essential, ongoing function of the MRC unit's administrators.
- Special Topics
Some of the more complex aspects of operating an MRC unit are related to differences in local laws and the evolving technical nature of the MRC’s work. For example, legal liability is something every unit member should know about. Another special topic of interest to MRC units is sustainability. Special Topics publications address these and other emerging topics.
The following Special Topics publications are available:
Viewing PDF files requires Adobe® Reader®. You can download it for free from Adobe's Web site at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
Last Updated on 3/14/2007
