Become a Southwest Florida Medical Reserve Corps volunteer

What is the Medical Reserve Corps?

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is part of a nationwide initiative developed in the wake of 9/11 to mobilize and coordinate volunteers interested in helping their communities respond to all types of disasters.

To be most effective during times of crisis, volunteers must be organized and trained to work in emergency situations and integrated into existing emergency response systems. That’s what local MRC units do.

The MRC provides volunteer opportunities for people with a wide range of skills. These include healthcare professionals and service-minded individuals interested in health issues, both working and retired. Whether it’s a medical emergency, or a natural or man-made disaster, these volunteers are ready to support local emergency and public health agencies.

Southwest Florida MRC specifics:

Debra Gary
MRC Coordinator
Southwest Florida MRC
2995 Victoria Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 641-6109

Organized in 2002, the SW Florida MRC is one of more than 600 MRC units now serving communities across the nation.

The SW Florida MRC is sponsored by the Lee County Health Department. Our service area includes Lee, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, DeSoto and Okeechobee Counties.

Through our relationship with Lee County Health, our MRC is integrated into local emergency management systems. When deployed by the Heath Dept., volunteers are provided liability protection and workers comp insurance.

Southwest Floridians are tragically familiar with the impact natural disasters have on lives and property. Hurricanes Charley and Wilma have shown us the importance and benefits of being prepared. While hurricanes are familiar, less visible yet potentially dangerous emergencies exist or may threaten us in the near future – pandemic flu, terrorist activities, chemical spills, and other mass-casualty events.

What are SW Florida MRC’s near-term objectives?

Major health emergencies place great stress on the already thinly stretched emergency response and health services in our fast growing area. The SW Florida MRC can play a critical role by helping to fill the gaps in care that occur when traditional health services are overwhelmed. In 2007 and 2008, Corps activities will focus on five areas of service:

Development of a patient surge support program for Lee Memorial Healthcare System involving:
- Pre-hospital triage centers.
- Support centers for psychological patients.
- Family reception centers to assist families and friends searching for loved ones (in partnership with American Red Cross).
- Development of a specialty call roster.
Development and testing of a points-of-distribution (POD) program design to speed the distribution of life-saving drugs and medications to local areas in case of a pandemic flu outbreak.
Development a staffing support program for a Lee County Health Department managed pandemic flu infirmary to be opened if the need arises.
Form a mental health strike team for deployment in disaster situations occurring in Florida.
Expand training of disaster responders in psychological first aid.

There’s lots to do, so please consider joining us.