What is the Medical Reserve Corps?
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. The purpose of the Harris County MRC program is to establish a network of medical and non-medical volunteers to strengthen public health, emergency response, and community resilience during times of disasters as well as throughout the year.
Harris County MRC Unit #152 was established on September 30th, 2002, and is one of the oldest MRC units in existence.
Who can become an MRC Volunteer?
The Harris County MRC is open to medical and non-medical volunteers:
- 18 years or older
- Willing to take and pass a background check
- Who complete the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry (TDVR) application
- Agree to sign forms and waivers before each MRC event
When do MRC Volunteers serve?
During past disasters, MRC Volunteers have:
• Staffed shelters and warming centers during multiple winter storms and severe weather events, including Hurricane Harvey and Beryl
• Assisted Harris County Public Health during the COVID-19 Response at Points of Dispensing
• Provided first aid and mental health first aid services at shelters and warming centers
• Assisted with Crisis Cleanup response after severe weather events
Other MRC non-disaster activities have included participating in a full-scale Family Assistance Center exercise, a Point of Dispensing exercise, and a Medical Shelter exercise. Harris County MRC volunteers have provided basic first aid coverage at community events, participated in the CERT Rodeo as judges, and assisted with competition set-up.
Training
Harris County MRC provides training to volunteers throughout the year. Training focuses on community preparedness, resilience, and disaster readiness.
- CPR/AED training for infants, children, and adults
- Stop The Bleed
- Psychological First Aid Training
- Shelter Operations
- Community Preparedness Training
- NARCAN administration and Opioid Use Disorder Training
- Harris County Public Health Strategic National Stockpile and Point of Distribution Training
- Other training provided by internal and external partners
What are the benefits of joining?
Becoming an MRC volunteer opens the door to meaningful emergency training and hands‑on service. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting communities during disasters and public health emergencies, helping meet the needs of those affected. MRC service is a powerful way to strengthen the health and safety of your local community while expanding your own knowledge, skills, and expertise.
Sign Up to Be an MRC Volunteer
1.Register as an MRC Volunteer: Visit the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry at TDVR (texasdisastervolunteerregistry.org) and click the “Register Now” button at the bottom of the screen
2.Follow steps 1-6 and submit your application for review by Harris County MRC
3.Harris County MRC may reach out to you with questions regarding your application details
4.Once your application is reviewed, you will be accepted into the Unit and receive a welcome email with further steps
If you have any questions or need help filling out the application, please contact MRC@phs.hctx.net
As you are creating your profile, ensure you fill out this information:
Deployment preferences - how long you wish to volunteer for a single disaster or a non-emergency community event.
Occupation - choose the medical or non-medical label. Then choose the job field that best matches your experience. This includes being a student or retiree.
Occupation (continued)- If you have any active medical or mental health licenses or certificates, ensure you enter the license number and expiration date. This is important for background check purposes. Harris County MRC only accepts Texas state or multi-state licenses. Those who have licenses from other states or countries cannot become medical volunteers but can be a non-medical volunteer.
Qualifications: include any skills you have acquired. We may call on volunteers with certain skills during a response, and knowing what you can do improves the speed of volunteer selection and deployment.
Languages Spoken: Interpreters are important for communicating with those who may not speak English. Please enter all languages you speak if you are comfortable with interpretation.
MRC Links
Apply to the Harris County MRC
Medical Reserve Corps Information
Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Unit Locations
Department of State Health Services: Texas Medical Reserve Corps
TX MRC Stories- Harris County MRC and CERT Rodeo
2022 MRC Network-Profile
Quick FAQs
Can people under 18 years old join?
- -No, volunteers must be 18 years old or older.
Do volunteers need to be a medical, healthcare, or public health professional to join?
- -No, anyone interested in public health or disaster preparedness can join!
Is there a background check process for volunteers?
- -Yes, volunteers are subject to background checks and waivers. These may be repeated on an as-needed basis.
What citizenship status is needed to join?
- United States citizenship is not required to be part of the MRC. Non-citizen, legal U.S. residents also are welcome to volunteer and contribute their time, knowledge, and skills to protecting and improving their communities.