Organization - Medical Reserve Corps, Arlington County DHS

The mission of the Arlington County Medical Reserve Corps (ACMRC) is to assist the Arlington County Public Health Division during public health emergencies; promote public health education,and support ongoing public health initiatives and programs.

Description:
Arlington County Public Health recruits and trains current or retired physicians, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, nurses, and members of the general public with relevant skills to help in emergencies.
Members of the MRC may assist in mass immunization or medication clinics, help with epidemiologic investigations, work with public health staff to respond to telephone inquiries, assist in public health clinics, and in public health outreach and education. The MRC has additional part-time volunteer positions for organizational support including administrative assistance and computer technology.
MRC members enroll for a one year period and are activated during emergencies. Volunteers are covered for liability under state immunity laws and receive recommended personal protection.
Each new MRC member is required to attend an orientation. Further training opportunities are available on topics such as mass medication dispensing, personal/family disaster preparedness, health communications, basic epidemiology, psychological first aid, CPR/First Aid, infection control, biological agents, hazardous materials, and more. Prospective members are strongly encouraged to take on-line National Incident Management System courses IS 100 and 700.
MRC members participating in an emergency response will receive event-specific training. Those assigned to positions requiring professional credentials must present current professional licenses.

History:
The MRC is a nation-wide network of volunteers founded in 2002 by President Bush, and dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of their communities (part of Citizen Corps, which includes CERT, Neighborhood Watch, Fire Corps, etc.). The ACMRC was established in 2003 to increase the County’s ability to respond to local public health emergencies and support ongoing public health outreach programs.

Contact person: MRC Coordinator, (email)

Address:

800 South Walter Reed Drive Arlington, VA 22204 (See a map)

Directions:

By Auto: Columbia Pike & Walter Reed Drive. If heading East: turn left on South Walter Reed Drive and drive one and one-half blocks. Turn left into the complex. If heading West: Turn right on South Walter Reed Drive and turn. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 16 A,B,D,E,F,J - Columbia Pike & Walter Reed Drive, 5 minute walk