Core Competencies
The MRC program has established national core competencies. MRC leaders and volunteers have been surveyed about their experiences and their lessons learned and were asked to assist with the development of core competencies.
The Skokie MRC utilizes the national competencies and online training but also offers locally developed training specific to the positions available here. Other resource items that have been developed include operating procedures for local activation, credentialing guidelines, and standardized identification.
MRC Units
MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources. The overarching goal is to improve health literacy by working towards increasing disease prevention, eliminating health disparities and improving public health preparedness.
MRC Volunteers
MRC volunteers include medical and mental health professionals such as physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Many community members-interpreters, chaplains, office workers, legal advisors, and others-can fill key support positions.
Volunteers are at the very heart of the MRC. The existence of this nationwide, community-based movement is due to the willingness of volunteer medical and public health professionals to serve their communities in times of need. Without that generous offer of service, there would be no Medical Reserve Corps.
Available Volunteer Positions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many positions are needed in order to complete the missions of the Health and Human Services Division, INCLUDING
- Contact tracing
- Vaccinations
- Drawing vaccine
- Answering telephones
- Working in registration
- Observing people post vaccination
In regular times, there is specific education that is required for volunteers. At this time it will be suspended. Although the official training is suspended, we will provide training of reach of the positions where we need help. Don't let lack of training discourage you from applying.
Not all of these positions require a medical professional. If you are willing to help, please complete the application and let us know!
MRC Training Resources
Many of the courses listed may be offered to you via classroom-style training, depending on resources and timing. Listed are resources, mostly online, that you can utilize to accommodate your schedule and learning preferences. These sites have many more educational offerings, feel free to go online and investigate.
The easiest method to find the course is either at the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) website or at the MRC Train website. You should sign up to get a user name and password to take these classes.
FEMA Training Website
- IS-10.a Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness
- IS-22 Are you Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
- IS-26 Guide to Points of Distribution
- IS-806 Emergency Support Function (ESF) Number 6 - Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing and Human Services
- IS-808 Emergency Support Function (ESF) Number 8 - Public Health and Medical Services
State of Illinois MRC Training
- Blood-borne Pathogen Overview
- Psychological First Aid: The Role of MRC Volunteers in Disaster Response
- Family Disaster Planning