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Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps
Who We Are, What We Do
About the Medical Reserve Corps
About the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps
Mission of the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps
Purpose of the BC-MRC
How to contact the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps
About the Medical Reserve Corps
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program was officially launched as a national community-based movement in July 2002, in response to President Bush’s call for all Americans to volunteer in their communities. It is sponsored by the Office of the Surgeon General and is a partner with the Citizen Corps, a national network for volunteers dedicated to ensuring security within their communities. The Citizen Corps is a member of the President’s USA Freedom Corps which was developed to promote volunteerism and service nationwide. Other members of the President’s USA Freedom Corps include AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps.
Recent, major events within the US, such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005, have highlighted the need for medical, public health, and non-medical volunteers to aid their communities in preparing for and responding to emergencies. The MRC provides an organized opportunity for community members to volunteer their services during “normal times” and times of need.
MRC volunteers including medical and public health professionals such as doctors, epidemiologists, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, and nurses as well as non-medical professionals such as social workers, office workers, chaplains, legal advisors, computer technicians, and interpreters. The diverse backgrounds and skills of MRC volunteers strengthen the organization.
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About the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps
As a result of President Bush’s 2002 call for volunteers, the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps (BC-MRC) was formed in 2005. The BC-MRC is housed in the Bucks County Health Department. It is one of the county’s Citizen Corps that is overseen by the Bucks County Citizen Corps Council, which is located at the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency. The BC-MRC is sponsored by the Bucks County Health Department, Bucks County Medical Society, and the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency.
Mission of the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps
The mission of the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corp is to improve the health and safety of our communities through public health preparedness. This is accomplished by:
- Recruiting, organizing, and training medical, public health, and non-medical volunteers.
- Involving volunteers in local and county emergency preparedness and response activities
- Linking the BC-MRC with other Medical Reserve Corps units and other organizations within Bucks County.
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Purpose of the BC-MRC
The purpose of the BC-MRC is to strengthen our communities’ public health and safety by establishing a system through which medical, public health, and other community volunteers can offer their expertise throughout the year in “normal times” as well as in times of community need such as an emergency.
The BC-MRC currently has over 100 volunteers and is growing! We are always looking for more eager community members as a large scale emergency could require thousands of trained volunteers.
How to contact the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps
The Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps can be reached at the address, phone, and fax numbers below:
Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps
Bucks County Department of Health
Suzanne Hecker, BC-MRC Coordinator
Neshaminy Manor Center
1282 Almshouse Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: 215-345-3318
Fax: 215-345-3833
Email: HDbcmrc@co.bucks.pa.us
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Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps
Bucks County Department of Health
Suzanne Hecker, BC-MRC Coordinator
Neshaminy Manor Center
1282 Almshouse Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: 215-345-3318
Fax: 215-345-3833
Email: HDbcmrc@co.bucks.pa.us