California Emergency Medical Services Authority

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Disaster Medical Services Division — Medical Reserve Corps

What is a Medical Reserve Corps?
A Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a community-based network of volunteers that assists public health efforts in times of special need or disaster, e.g. during a major communicable disease outbreak, an earthquake, flood, fire, evacuation or an act of terrorism. Members of an MRC may also volunteer their time throughout the year in order to promote community public health and education.
What does a Medical Reserve Corps do?
MRCs bring volunteers together to supplement existing local emergency plans and resources. In order to be effective during times of emergency, volunteers must be organized and trained to work in emergency situations. The MRC is designed to provide that organizational structure and promote appropriate training of volunteers according to local community needs and vulnerabilities.
Who volunteers for a Medical Reserve Corps?
MRCs may be comprised of any variety of individuals depending on community need. Volunteers may include, but are not limited to, current or retired health professionals (such as physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, dentists, dental assistants, pharmacists, veterinarians), social workers, communications/public relations professionals, health care administrators, clergy, etc. Bottom line – anyone with an interest in helping their community may volunteer in their local MRC.
How does the Medical Reserve Corps program fit in to current disaster preparedness efforts?
The Medical Reserve Corps is a specialized component of Citizens Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to making sure their families, homes and communities are safe from terrorism, crime, and disasters of all kinds. Citizen Corps is part of USA Freedom Corps. USA Freedom Corps is the cornerstone of President Bush’s volunteer service initiative that promotes a culture of service and citizenship. For more information about the USA Freedom Corps and Citizens Corps check out their websites at http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/ and http://www.citizencorps.gov/.
Informational Resources:

The following publications are part of the US Health and Human Services MRC Technical Assistance Series developed by the USHHS Office of the Surgeon General. They are found at: http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/

  • A Guide for Local Leaders
  • Organizing an MRC Unit: Operational Components and the Coordinator’s Role
  • Coordinating With Your Local Response Partners
  • Developing Volunteer Relationships and Capabilities
  • Establishing and Maintaining Your MRC Unit’s Organization

Questions?

The Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMSA) is the department responsible for MRC coordination across California.

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:

MRC Office of Civilian Volunteers
Current Federal-Registered California Medical Reserve Corps:

(Click for Map)

  • Beach Cities Health District MRC 
    Contact: Brandy Harkins (310)374-3426 ext.170
  • Benicia Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Carolyn Lobo (510) 724-3768
  • California Tribal Nations - MRC 
    Contact: Chris Walters (909) 864-6928 ext.27
  • City of Cupertino  View on Map 
    Contact: Marsha Hovey (408) 777-3335
  • City of Stockton MRC 
    Contact: Renee Johnston (209) 937-8097
  • City of Tracy Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Jared Bryant (510) 645-5952
  • County of Santa Clara - Medical Volunteers for Disaster Response (MVDR)
    Contact: Craig Young (408) 885-4250
  • Fremont Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Victor Valdes (510) 494-4295
  • Fresno Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Carla Glazebrook (559) 621-2328
  • HATZOLAH of Los Angeles 
    Contact: Chevras Hatzolah (323) 841-2382
  • Imperial County Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Ryan Kelley (760) 482-2974
  • Kern County Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Jane Yadon (661) 472-8109
  • Lake County Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Steven Finch (707) 263-1090 ext.263
  • Long Beach MRC 
    Contact: Moniek Pointer (562) 570-4312
  • Madera County Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Mikki Estrada (559) 675-7893 ext.246
  • Marin Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Brian Waterbury (415) 473-6756
  • Medical Reserve Corps of Far Northern California 
    Contact: Sherryl Berryman (530) 246-2402 ext.1
  • Monterey County Medical Reserve Corps
    Contact: Monica Blaha (831) 402-0269
  • MRC Los Angeles 
    Contact: Jee Kim (213) 637-3636
  • Northern California Veterinary MRC 
    Contact: David Watts (925) 755-8969
  • Oakland Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Cathey Eide (510) 238-6069
  • Orange County Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Peggy McCormick (714) 834-2335
  • Palo Alto Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Knute Ayhens-Johnson (510) 282-4137
  • Riverside County MRC 
    Contact: Anthony Shaw (951) 358-7100 ext.7122
  • Rural Emergency Alliance 
    Contact: Jim Courter (760) 742-2024
  • Sacramento Regional Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Lynn Pesely (916) 204-9473
  • San Bernardino County Sheriff's Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Debbie Long (951) 787-7700
  • San Diego County  View on Map 
    Contact: Melissa Dredge (619) 641-5015
  • San Fernando Valley Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Shaheen Lakhan (206) 984-2676
  • San Francisco Fire Department Civilian Volunteer MRC 
    Contact: Erica Arteseros (415) 970-2022
  • San Mateo Coastside Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: J. Kent Garman (916) 358-5443
  • Santa Barbara County Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: John Eaglesham (805) 681-5394
  • Santa Cruz County Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: David McNutt (831) 466-9558
  • Self-Help for the Elderly
    Contact: Josephine Ma (415) 677-7668
  • Sonoma County Medical Reserve Corps
    Contact: Gabrielle Trubach (707) 565-4427
  • Stanislaus County Medical Reserve Corps
    Contact: Mary Sherwood (209) 558-7549
  • Tahoe Forest Church
    Contact: Karen Sampson (530) 550-9980
  • UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team MRC 
    Contact: John Madigan (530) 752-6630
  • Ventura County Medical Reserve Corp 
    Contact: Steve Johnston (805) 981-5261
  • Woodside Medical Reserve Corps 
    Contact: Gail Mann (650) 851-3921