FAQ
What will I be doing as an MRC volunteer?
Volunteers are needed for both emergency and non-emergency purposes. During a public health emergency, MRC volunteers would be needed to help staff an emergency vaccination clinic or pharmaceutical distribution clinic. Many functions will be needed to run a clinic. We will match volunteers’ skill levels and interests to the need. Some functions will include: vaccinating or distributing pharmaceuticals to mass people, medical screening, running patient education sessions, directing people-flow, providing mental health consultation, registering patients, entering data from forms, stocking supplies, handling the press/media, etc. There may also be a need to staff Acute Care Centers, Neighborhood Emergency Health Centers, and assist the American Red Cross in their sheltering efforts. The federal government has asked that - for those who are interested - the possibility exists for national deployment in times of any kind of hazard or disaster. During times of non-emergency, volunteers can be local “ambassadors” for public health. We will match volunteers’ skill levels and interests to the need. Some activities might include: assisting with flu clinics, children’s health screenings, providing education sessions or presentations on special health topics, assisting patients with specific health-related programs, helping with health fairs, promoting immunization campaigns, as well as other possibilities that may be presented. Volunteers will also spend time interacting with partnering agencies throughout Kent County by speaking engagements, meeting attendance, events, and volunteering as victims for other organizations' exercises and drills.
Do you have to have medical skills to volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps?
Not necessarily. Imagine how chaotic a mass immunization clinic could be without someone to help with the flow of people, replenishment of supplies, translation assistance or administrative support. We do have a need for medical volunteers to perform specific medical functions, but non-medical volunteers can fulfill other important needs such as: translation assistance, computer assistance, clerical support, health education, stocking medical supplies, managing clinic flow, public information contact, supporting medical programs, logistics during an emergency, etc. Everyone’s skills are valued and needed, even without a medical background.
What about liability for MRC volunteers?
The law relating to liability coverage varies from state to state. At this time, a uniform policy of protection for MRC volunteers across the nation does not exist. In Kent County, Michigan. MRC volunteers would provide direct medical services and assistance only during a public health emergency. In this declared emergency state, Medical Reserve Corps volunteers are most likely covered by the immunity provisions of the Michigan Good Samaritan Act, specifically Act 368 of 1978 333.20965. In the case of deployment through the Department of Health or the Kent County Emergency Management Office, provisions are made for coverage through pre-arranged programs. These provisions generally provide protection from liability during an emergency, except in cases of gross negligence.
What kind of training will volunteers receive?
All volunteers without a current license to practice in the healing arts will receive training and certification in First Aid/CPR/AED from the American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids. This training/certification helps cover the volunteer for liability purposes and will be given at no cost to the volunteer. All volunteers will also receive training in Disaster Preparedness, Light Search & Rescue, Fire Suppression, and Field Medical Triage through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. Other training topics will be offered to volunteers such as: Disasters (for medical and mental health professionals), Incident Command System, and Bioterrorism. Specific targeted training topics will be offered for the different emergency volunteer positions. Training exercises simulating a public health emergency will also be part of the MRC volunteers’ training.
Can I get Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for training?
Possibly. This depends upon the acceptance of the training course by your discipline’s state board. The MRC will provide the necessary documentation to accompany your request for CEUs, such as course objectives, completion certificates, etc. MRC volunteers will need to individually submit their request for CEUs to their discipline’s state board for approval. Because of the non-profit nature of the MRC, the cost for CEUs for will be the responsibility of the volunteer.
What is the difference between Medical Reserve Corps and other emergency support organizations, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army?
The Medical Reserve Corps volunteers in Kent County will be called to support the emergency system during a public health emergency. MRC volunteers would staff emergency vaccination or pharmaceutical distribution clinics during such an emergency, providing critical staffing needs in the medical area. Other emergency support organizations would have a different role according to the Kent County Emergency Operations Plan. For example, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army would primarily provide feeding and mass care during a public health emergency. Both the MRC and the Red Cross would also offer mental and emotional support provided by licensed mental health professionals. The Salvation Army would provide religious counseling and spiritual care.
What does it mean when a volunteer is considered “Active” status?
Only volunteers who are “Active” status will be called to volunteer in an emergency. To be considered active status, an MRC volunteer must: Complete an application and the interview process. Attend the required MRC Orientation, complete Community Emergency Response Team training, and complete the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) training in Incident Command (IS-100, 200, 700 & 800). Once those initial requirements are met, you are badged and ready for deployment. In order to maintain "Active" status, volunteers must attend at least two (2) of the quarterly volunteer meetings per year, participate in the required training exercises, and contribute a minimum of 4 hours per year in a non-emergency activity. If you are currently licensed, maintain licensure or notify the MRC Coordinator if the license has expired.
Will I be paid for my services?
MRC volunteers are not paid. Volunteers willingly give of their time for the benefit of our community. As an MRC volunteer, you will be provided uniform shirts, training opportunities with the possibility of CEU hours, and opportunities to increase your skills and provide an important preparedness function for our community. Also, in the event of a public health emergency, active MRC volunteers and their immediate family members will receive emergency prophylaxis.
How many hours will I be volunteering?
During a public health emergency, it will depend on the magnitude of the situation and the need. For example only one vaccination clinic may be sufficient to fulfill the emergency need, or several clinics may be needed. It will also depend on how many hours the emergency clinic may operate in a 24-hour period. Shifts will be scheduled for all clinic workers and volunteers. Non-emergency volunteer opportunities will vary in the amount of hours a volunteer is needed, however there is room for flexibility to accommodate volunteers’ schedules. MRC members are asked to volunteer in one non-emergency activity in accordance with their schedule each year.
Will there be any travel involved?
At this time, the Kent County Medical Reserve Corps will serve the communities in Kent County. Travel may also involve the Michigan Region 6 area (Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Osceola and Ottawa counties). Volunteers will need to provide their own transportation to local volunteer activities. *Special note: See the question on tax credits for MRC volunteers. (Group transportation may be provided in some situations.)
Are tax credits possible for volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps?
Yes. Volunteers in the United States may receive tax deductions from the federal government on many costs associated with volunteering, such as mileage and other travel expenses, parking, uniforms if the volunteer purchases his/her own, etc. These deductions apply only if you are not getting reimbursed for these expenses, and you are itemizing on your tax form (not using the 1040EZ form). When volunteers drive their own vehicles to carry out volunteer duties, including to and from trips to their volunteer service, the IRS permits a deduction of 44 cents per mile. MRC volunteers who want a tax deduction should keep good records of mileage in performing volunteer duties, and ask their tax preparation specialist for information on deducting volunteer expenses. For more information go to www.irs.gov, to review Publication #526 Charitable Contributions.
Will being an MRC volunteer interfere with my regular job?
Non-emergency volunteer activities should be done in accordance with the volunteer’s schedule, and should not interfere with a volunteer’s regular employment. During a public health emergency, volunteers may be needed during times that they would normally work at their job. Volunteers should discuss this possibility with their employer and understand their employer’s policies and procedures for outside volunteering, so that an MRC volunteer will be prepared to respond in an emergency. Should you request additional help with your employer, the MRC Coordinator will be happy to work with them and Kent County Emergency Management to outline your program.
Are there any fees or costs to volunteer?
There are no fees to become an MRC volunteer. Costs for one uniform shirt and one reflective vest per volunteer will be covered by the Kent County MRC. Through the generosity of the American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training will also be covered for MRC volunteers.
Do you have to live in Kent County to be a volunteer?
No. Residents of the surrounding counties are welcome to apply for membership. However, we recommend you visit the federal MRC site, www.medicalreservecorps.gov to determine if there is an MRC unit closer to your work or home than the Kent County unit.