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Organizing an MRC Unit: Introduction

The success of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) as a national movement rests largely with the energy and dedication of its volunteers. The MRC is different from other volunteer-intensive efforts. The nature of its work can be highly technical. Close coordination is required between the MRC unit and the organizations that utilize its medical and public health volunteers with specialty skills.

Recruiting, training, and retaining those volunteers present another set of challenges for the MRC unit’s leadership. In addition, a great deal of planning and effort will go into developing and sustaining a viable internal organization that will be responsive to local changes.

In this guide, we take a look at the average MRC unit’s overall operations and at its leadership and management functions. You can also explore, in greater depth, any of the topics addressed in this overview by reading the accompanying publications in the Technical Assistance Series:

• Coordinating with Your Local Response Partners
• Developing Volunteer Relationships and Capabilities
• Establishing and Maintaining Your MRC Unit's Organization
• Special Topics

Topics Addressed in This Publication

This publication discusses topics related to organizing an MRC unit, its operational components, and the MRC unit coordinator’s role. Topics include the following:

• The primary operational components
  
  • External coordination
  • Volunteer relations
  • Internal organization
• The coordinator’s role
• Operational components and the incident-response cycle

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Last Updated on 8/29/2006