Program Overview
The Medical Reserve Corps of Eastern Washington are volunteers called upon to assist in responding to local, regional, or national emergencies or disasters.
Volunteers are given the opportunity to engage in local health-related
programs, such as vaccination clinics, suicide prevention programs, personal
& family preparedness education, and community events like Bloomsday, that
help build community resilience and volunteer skills.
Volunteers consist of physicians, registered nurses, veterinarians, mental health professionals, and other non-medical volunteers such as administrative support, security, and educators.
The program is funded with grant dollars from the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response (ASPR) with additional project money coming from National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO). The Medical Reserve Corps of Eastern Washington works with outside agencies, like American Red Cross, Greater Spokane Emergency Management, healthcare facilities, and Emergency Medical Services to carry out their mission.
Education
Trained volunteers teach others in Question Persuade & Refer (QPR), Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Hospital Emergency Response Team (HERT), Map Your Neighborhood (MYN), etc.
Community Events
Volunteers staff medical booths at Bloomsday, Jr. YMCA Valley Hoops, and school events. Volunteers assist at vaccination clinics. Volunteers participate in exercises of emergency response plans of community partners.
National Medical Reserve Corp Administrator site
73Number of Medical Reserve Corps of Eastern Washington Activities during the last year
Medical Reserve Corps of Eastern Washington Figures for July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016
- 186 MRC of EW volunteers
- 3,079 total number of volunteer hours contributed
- $116,426 economic value of contribution of these volunteer hours
- MRC of EW volunteers participated in 3 emergency responses
- MRC of EW volunteers participated in 70 non-emergency activities
The best way to help during a disaster is to join a local volunteer organization and complete the required training prior to an emergency so that you are better prepared to help your community.
