MRC Volunteer Resources

Join the over 5000 volunteers registered throughout the state of Illinois through one of the over 60 units registered as a Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer! Learn more about what we do in Illinois through our Events Page. If you have questions, read through the Frequently Asked Questions page to help answer some of the questions you may have, for the questions it doesn’t answer use our Contact Us page to reach out!

Volunteer Training Resources

Volunteer FAQs

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities
The MRC started as a demonstration project by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2002 after the events of September 11 identified a need to organize and train medical volunteers to assist in emergencies
In 2006, Congress passed the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, which formally established the Medical Reserve Corps “to provide for an adequate supply of volunteers in the case of a Federal, State, local, or tribal public health emergency”
Today, the MRC network comprises approximately 200,000 volunteers 
in roughly 800 community-based units across the U.S. and its territories

MRC units engage in their local communities to improve emergency response capabilities, build community preparedness and resilience, and strengthen public health
No MRC unit is the same – specific engagement activities vary by community need, volunteer skills and interest, and partner support

Bolster local public health and emergency response infrastructures by providing supplemental personnel
Enable communities to meet specific health needs
Give community members the opportunity to offer their skills and time to make their communities healthier and safer

MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals as well as other community members without healthcare backgrounds who wish to donate their time and expertise. The specific role that you will play, and the activities in which you will participate, will depend upon your background, interests, and skills, as well as the needs of the MRC unit and the community

Communities benefit from having MRC volunteers ready to respond to emergencies.

You can be part of an organized and trained team with a strong sense of mission and purpose.

It’s a way to offer and improve your professional skills, knowledge, and expertise.

It’s a chance to give back to your community, helping to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe and healthy—particularly during times of need.

Identify the closest MRC to your area: GIS Map
Identify the unit leader for that MRC
Contact the local leader
Complete the local MRC application
If you are having difficulty reaching the leader, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]

must be 18 years of age or older
must meet the local MRC Unit’s requirements (i.e. some units require background checks)
meet local unit’s volunteer preferences (most units are looking for ALL types of volunteers – non-medical, logistics, admin staff, computer skilled workers, translators, medical professionals, behavioral health specialists, etc. but some units are looking for specific skillsets for Specialized Teams)

List of Events/Calendar

2024-2025 Training Workshop Series

Information on the 2024-2025 Training Workshop Series will be posted as it becomes available!

MRC Volunteer Resources