
	Search:

Guidelines: Determine the Purpose and Scope of an MRC Unit

Conduct a Needs Assessment

Consider the specific medical and public health-related risks and needs that affect your community.
Review any risk assessments previously conducted by organizations in your community, such as those included in your community’s emergency operations plan or hazard mitigation plan.
Review capability assessments conducted by hospitals, public health agencies, and other healthcare institutions in your community to determine if there are gaps or limitations that your MRC unit can address.
Interview potential response partners and other community organizations to learn more about their work and volunteer support needs.
Identify some possible approaches to these risks and needs that will involve your MRC volunteers.
Start with what you know best about your community. You do not have to address everything at once; your MRC unit’s contributions can increase over time.

Develop a Mission Statement

Develop a mission statement that clearly states your MRC unit’s purpose and scope.
The mission statement should be accurate, concise, and unambiguous.

Determine Objectives

Develop objectives that support your MRC unit’s mission and purpose. The objectives will help you achieve your goal.
Develop realistic, measurable, and achievable objectives.

Establish Local Partnerships

Identify the potential individuals or groups with whom your MRC might partner and determine the most significant or likely partnering prospects.
Consider:
1. Which existing local efforts can the MRC support?
2. Which ongoing community needs may your MRC volunteers usefully respond to?
Identify shared missions, complementary or similar activities, and needs for supplementary services your MRC may provide.
Work with your local Citizen Corps council and with other volunteer-based organizations.
Develop working relationships with public health, medical and emergency services organizations, including:
- Local public health departments
- Emergency Management System agencies
- Hospitals
- Emergency management agencies
- Fire departments and fire protection districts
- Law enforcement agencies
- Local emergency planning committees, disaster councils, and similar organizations
- Organizations devoted to statewide or regional health, medical, and/or emergency management efforts
Approach faith-based organizations, groups that work with the elderly or disabled, agencies that work with non-English speaking populations, neighborhood representatives, etc.
Contact Federal-level programs such as the Metropolitan Medical Response System, Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams, Disaster Mortuary Response Teams, and other National Disaster Medical System resources, where appropriate.
Work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) whose mission might overlap or complement your MRC, such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, or United Way.

Register Your MRC Unit

Register your MRC unit on the MRC Web site at: http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/StartMRC. Once your registration has been approved and you have received official recognition of your MRC unit, complete your online MRC unit profile and ensure it is updated at least quarterly.

After registering, your information will be sent to the Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (OCVMRC) , and you will be contacted by an interviewer for a brief contact interview. Following the contact interview, your state (if applicable) and Regional Coordinators will have the opportunity to comment on your application before it is sent to the OCVMRC for final review and approval.

Previous | Table of Contents | Next

Last Updated on 12/12/2007