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Getting Started: A Brief History

In his January 2002 State of the Union address, President Bush asked all Americans to offer meaningful volunteer service in their communities, in whatever ways they could.

Many medical and health volunteers offered their skills in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks. These attacks underscored the need for a more organized approach to using medical and health volunteers during an emergency.

Medical and health volunteers can provide highly technical skills and services. As volunteers, they often must coordinate their efforts with complex medical emergency and public health response systems. To protect emergency responders’ safety, it is critical to prepare volunteers prior to an emergency response effort.

To support this effort, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson officially launched the MRC in July 2002. Congress allocated funds to establish the Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps in the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office to initiate an MRC demonstration project and to provide national technical assistance.

Since the MRC initiative began in 2002, units have been formed in nearly every state, and thousands of individuals have signed up or have expressed interest in volunteering. Local communities also have worked diligently and creatively to establish the foundation of community support and planning necessary for their units to function effectively.

As a result, this national movement adds unique capabilities and increased strength to communities nationwide. We hope you will consider making your own contribution.

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Last Updated on 12/12/2007