What Is Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps?
Wasco County MRC is part of a nationwide network of locally-based volunteer units that train and prepare community members to help with disaster response when emergency personnel are overwhelmed. MRC members can also volunteer in the community in non-disaster times, if they choose.
Who Can Join?
Wasco County MRC recruits:
Licensed health professionals (from all fields).
Retired health professionals (from all fields).
Unlicensed volunteers interested in aiding in disaster response & promoting preparedness.
Can Your Community Count On You?
Members will be trained and prepared to integrate with emergency responders during a disaster.
You will be a vital part of the health and safety of your community.
Deployment is always optional – participation in Wasco County MRC does not obligate anyone to volunteer in an emergency.
What If My Medical License Is No Longer Active?
You can still be a volunteer– during times of emergency, the Oregon State Governor may allow retired medical professionals to practice. Retired professionals are integral to the sustainability of many MRC units. In addition, during non-disaster times, retired professionals are a vital part of our effort to increase community preparedness for potential emergency situations.
Links
Register on SERV-OR & choose Wasco County as your unit:
Training & Resources:
IS-100.b: Introduction to Incident Command System
IS-700.a: National Incident Management System (NIMS), an Introduction
Volunteer
What Does An MRC Volunteer Do?
Volunteers supplement existing emergency services when a disaster overwhelms local response capabilities.
Potential volunteer roles include vaccine administration, patient screening, behavioral health triage, patient education, maintaining medical records, staffing alternate care sites, and much more.
In non-disaster situations, MRC members may choose to volunteer within the community at events such as vaccination clinics, public awareness campaigns, health fairs, etc. The outreach opportunities are endless!
Volunteers may also have the opportunity to participate in county-wide emergency response exercises, local training courses, and other preparedness activities.
Do I Have To Live Or Work In Wasco County?
No! Wasco County MRC is intended as a resource for the entire Mid-Columbia region. Everyone is encouraged to join!
How Do I Sign Up?
Registration is easy!
Register on serv-or.org. Make sure you have your license information handy (if you have a medical license) and be sure to choose Wasco County MRC when prompted to “Add Organization”.
Are There Requirements To Be A Volunteer?
To be an active volunteer, you must:
Register on SERV-OR as described above.
Agree to a background check & if licensed, agree to have credentials verified.
Attend a Volunteer Orientation – Contact Matt Johnston at mattj@ncphd.org or 541-506-2752 to find upcoming dates.
Complete two Incident Command System (ICS) courses – These will help prepare you to integrate with emergency responders during a disaster.
2. IS-700.a: National Incident Management System (NIMS), an Introduction – Take these courses online at http://training.fema.gov/is/crslist.asp?page=all or in-classroom through Wasco County MRC.
Get as involved as you wish! You are encouraged to attend Wasco County MRC meetings, trainings, county-wide emergency response exercises, and volunteer activities.
What Can I Gain From Volunteering?
A chance to make your community safer and more resilient.
Personal satisfaction from helping others.
Local training opportunities, some of which include CEUs/CMEs.
Knowledge to better prepare yourself and loved ones for an emergency.
Current Projects/Training/Events
Wasco Co MRC First Aid Tent Project
Through a State Homeland Security Grant, Wasco Co. MRC purchased an inflatable tent, accessories, first-aid supplies and a trailer.
The MRC will work toward providing first-aid services at local events, such as run/walks.
The MRC will use these activities to become a trained and cohesive unit. The goal is to be able to respond to an actual disaster that could overwhelm our medical community.
The MRC has been actively fighting the COVID-19 pandemic through volunteering at vaccination sites.
Want To Know More About Wasco Co. MRC Or Need Help Registering?
Contact Matt Johnston at mattj@ncphd.org or 541-506-2752
Print a copy of our brochure:
Learn More
Preparing For Emergencies
Summer Preparedness Topics
Public Health Emergency Preparedness