- Home
- Programs & Services
- Division of Public Health
- Community Health Systems
- Preparedness
- Kansas Medical Reserve Corps
Kansas Medical Reserve Corps
Purpose / Responsibilities
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers-healthcare professionals and others-who want to contribute their skills and expertise to the community. MRC units are intended to support, assist and supplement the resources of the existing public health, medical and emergency response systems.
During emergencies, MRC volunteers may provide an important "surge" capability to area hospitals and public health departments. They can also augment medical and support staff shortages at local medical or emergency facilities. The number of MRC units nationwide has increased significantly since the program's beginnings, from 48 in 2002 to over 800 today.
Goal
The Kansas MRC has 8 Medical Reserve Corps units located throughout Kansas, including one state-wide Kansas Veterinary MRC unit. However, all units have one thing in common: a desire to work to create safe, healthy, and prepared Kansas communities.
- What is the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)?
- I’m not a medical professional. Can I still volunteer?
- What will I do as an MRC volunteer?
- What is the time commitment?
- How can I apply?
- There is not an MRC unit in my area, what should I do?
- Will I get paid?
- What liability protection is available for volunteers?
- What is SERV-KS? Do I have to register in that too?
Background
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program was created in 2002 in response to President George W. Bush's State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to offer volunteer services in their community. The MRC is a partner program with the Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security.
The Kansas Medical Reserve Corps is a part of the federal MRC program - Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (OCVMRC) - located out of the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. The mission of the federal MRC office is to improve the health and safety of communities across the country by organizing and utilizing public health, medical, and other volunteers.