Saturday, March 21, 2020

(WASHINGTON, DC) – As the District continues responding to and working to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Mayor Muriel Bowser is encouraging volunteers to join the DC Medical Reserve Corps (DC MRC).The DC MRC is housed in the DC Department of Health (DC Health) and supports public health and medical emergency preparedness, response, and recovery by recruiting, training, and deploying medical and non-medical volunteers to assist with planned events and emergencies. Volunteers can complete the online registration HERE.

“As the coronavirus continues to impact the District of Columbia, the nation, and the world, we are asking volunteers to join the DC Medical Reserve Corps to assist in our response,” said Mayor Bowser. “We know our residents look out for their neighbors, and this emergency is no different. The DC Medical Reserve Corps needs volunteers – especially those with medical experience – to sign up today.”

WHO: The DC MRC is open to medical and non-medical volunteers 18 years of age and older. Whether you are retired, active in your profession, a community member, or a student, we need your assistance in the DC MRC. Volunteers receive free training. There is a growing need for volunteers with medical experience.

WHEN: Volunteers receive free training and then are asked to be available on an as-needed basis. You could be asked to volunteer on weekends, late at night, or first thing in the morning.

WHERE: DC volunteers may be deployed to events on the National Mall, to a District recreation center or shelter, or to a public health site.

WHY: We need our DC MRC volunteers to:

• Provide medical screening and support in mass care settings.

• Assist with patient tracking at planned events.

• Support medical countermeasures (MCM) distribution and dispensing activities.

• Provide assistance with planned and unplanned public health activities.
   

HOW: By signing up to be a DC MRC volunteer, you will gain valuable emergency preparedness knowledge and experience through training, exercises, and real-world events. You will train and work alongside DC government agencies, federal partners, non-governmental agencies, and community partners.

For more information, please visit dchealth.dc.gov/mrc.

For the latest information and resources on COVID-19, go to coronavirus.dc.gov.