ABOUT THE MRC

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a nationwide network of volunteers organized through the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. It was established to strengthen public health, emergency response, and community resilience by engaging both medical professionals and community members. MRC units, like the one in Dallas County, play a crucial role in responding to local health emergencies, disasters, and public health needs by providing trained volunteers to support overwhelmed systems. Whether it’s helping during pandemics, natural disasters, or large-scale vaccination efforts, MRC volunteers are ready to serve.

Dallas County is one of the most populous counties in Texas, with over 2.4 million residents and 25+ municipalities. In such a large and diverse region, emergencies can quickly overwhelm local resources. The MRC fills this gap by providing a trained and organized volunteer force that can step in to support hospitals, shelters, clinics, and public health departments. Their presence ensures a faster and more efficient response during health crises like flu outbreaks, natural disasters, or bioterrorism events. Beyond emergencies, the MRC enhances community health by promoting prevention, awareness, and readiness throughout the year.

MRC volunteers are involved in a wide range of activities depending on the community’s needs and the volunteer’s skills and availability:

During Emergencies:

• Assist at vaccination clinics and Points of Dispensing (PODs) by administering shots or managing patient flow

• Translate information or help with communication for non-English speaking populations

• Provide mental health support to survivors or first responders during traumatic events

• Support logistics by organizing supplies, managing inventories, or helping set up temporary shelters or clinics

In Non-Emergency Times:

• Lead or assist with public health education campaigns (e.g., hand hygiene, emergency kit prep)

• Help develop or deliver training for schools, workplaces, and community groups

• Provide administrative support in planning drills, organizing records, or recruiting new volunteers

• Participate in outreach events like health fairs or school presentations to spread awareness

Volunteers also have opportunities to attend additional training to build skills in emergency management, basic first aid, CPR, and more.

The MRC welcomes a wide range of volunteers, both medical and non-medical. This includes doctors, nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, public health professionals, interpreters, logistics coordinators, students, retirees, and anyone else interested in public health and emergency response. You don’t need to live in Dallas County to participate—volunteers from surrounding areas are also encouraged to join.

To get started, you’ll need to:

• Complete a new volunteer orientation

• Take two online FEMA courses: IS-100 (Incident Command System) and IS-700 (National Incident Management System)

• Pass a background check and provide up-to-date contact information

Joining is easy!

• Register through the official Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry at:
  👉 https://dcmrc.samaritan.com/custom/1555/volunteer_home

• Have questions or want to speak with someone directly? Contact:
  📧 php@dallascounty.org
  📞 (214) 819-2834