A critical part of my mission as U.S. Surgeon General is to safeguard the health of Americans. Along with the usual duties of my Office, I have a mandate from our President to focus on medical preparedness, including homeland security and the war on terrorism. The volunteer Medical Reserve Corps is critical to our national preparedness effort. Medical Reserve Corps volunteers provide assistance and depth to our existing local emergency teams. They augment our public health initiatives. And that's where we need your skills and energy, too. We need to be prepared as communities. Our first response to a disaster is always a local response. To achieve our best, we must forge partnerships among the uniformed services, law enforcement and health practitioners - groups that traditionally have have not worked together. Everyone must be aware of the possible threats and be trained to meet them together. I strongly encourage all of you - all able medical and health professionals, even ordinary citizens who can help with non-technical tasks -  to join your local Medical Reserve Corps Unit. All of us have a role to play in preparing America for the challenges that lie ahead.

-Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, Surgeon General
Excerpts form a letter posted on www.medicalreservecorps.gov

Who are the members of the Duval Medical Reserve Corps?

Members include healthcare professionals and logistical support personnel willing to volunteer their time and expertise in response to local natural or man-made disasters.

What benefits will MRC membership provide?

The role of the MRC is to recruit, identify and train volunteers to assist the Duval County Health Department's response to health and medical needs following a disaster. Members of the MRC are provided training opportunities including:

• One mandatory orientation training class

• Optional quarterly training sessions

• Activation exercises

• Satellite broadcasts

• Online courses

Many training opportunities provide CME and CEU credits, free of charge. When activated through the MRC, members are provided soverign immunity.

When will the MRC be activated?

Members of the MRC will be activated by the Duval County Health Department when an emergency or disaster occurs and additional resources are needed. Responsibilities might vary from working in a point of dispensing/prophylaxis center to providing health services in an alternative site of care.

How do I join the Duval Medical Reserve Corps?

To join the MRC click here to email the MRC program coordinator. Include your name and contact information.

MRC Training and Information

National Incident Management Training - FEMA IS-700
Incident Command System - FEMA IS-100 and FEMA IS-200

Duval County Health Department
900 University Blvd. N.
Jacksonville, FL 32211
253-1000

Copyright ©  2003 Duval County Health Department. All rights reserved.