The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a team of health care workers, administrative professionals, and others who volunteer their time and skills to support emergency medical workers in an emergency or disaster.
Local emergencies have the capability to quickly overwhelm the capacity of first responders and the medical infrastructure, especially during the first 12-72 hours following an event. The attacks on September 11, 2001, underscored the need for a national network of Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to support the health and medical needs of our community.
Having a team of volunteers who are pre-identified, credentialed, trained, and ready to respond during times of crisis allows first responders to focus their efforts on the most critical, life-threatening situations.
For questions about the Medical Reserve Corps or volunteer opportunities, please call 727-619-0134.
Mission
The mission of the Pasco County Medical Reserve Corps (PascoMRC) is to engage local health and non-health care professionals in activities that strengthen public health, reduce vulnerability, build resilience, and improve preparedness, recovery, and response capabilities in their communities.
Volunteer Roles
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older with a heart for service. Roles are assigned based on your expertise and the needs of the emergency response. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, including:
- Medical, public health, and mental health professionals: Doctors, nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, social workers, mental health counselors, epidemiologists, veterinarians, health educators
- Support staff: Greeters, registrars, interpreters, safety officers, supply managers, chaplains, data entry, communications, and administrative support
- Students, retirees, and community members: No medical experience required
How to Apply
To join Pasco County’s MRC:
- Complete a volunteer application and submit it to PascoMRC@FLHealth.gov
- Pass a Level 2 background screening
- Attend orientation
- Complete Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS 100) and An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (IS-700).
Frequently Asked questions
Do I need medical experience to join?
No. All backgrounds are welcomed.
What might I be asked to do?
Depending on your skills, you may help with:
- Medical care or evaluation
- Vaccine administration
- Medication distribution
- Volunteer coordination
- Public education
What’s the time commitment?
It varies. Non-emergency events may require two to six hours. During emergencies, volunteers may work rotating 12-hour shifts for several days.
What if I work full time at a hospital?
You must be released by your hospital administration before volunteering during emergencies. We coordinate with hospitals to support this.
Will I be paid?
No. MRC is a volunteer program, but some trainings offer continuing education units (CEUs) and continuing medical education (CME) credits.
What kind of training will I need to do?
We provide free training to ensure volunteers are prepared and confident:
- Required FEMA courses: IS-100 and IS-700
- Online modules through MRC-TRAIN
- Local workshops, disaster drills, and hurricane preparedness events
- Continuing education opportunities (some offer CEUs/CME credits)