Frequently Asked Questions
What types of volunteers are you looking for?
The Medical Reserve Corps of Greater Kansas City is looking for a variety of individuals. We are one of the few MRCs in the nation who offer membership to "non-medical" as well as medical professionals . We have expanded our focus to include support for local emergency management as well as public health. People with skills in the health-care field are, of course, needed to meet clinical needs, should they arise. However, volunteers who do not have any medical training are also encouraged to join the Medical Reserve Corps. For the safety of our volunteers and the people we serve, our policy is to background check all of our volunteers before final acceptance.
How many people will be needed?
This will depend on the emergency and the needs of the community. If, for example, there would be an emergency in the Kansas City metropolitan area requiring the entire population be vaccinated against a specific disease, it is estimated that more than 16,000 individuals would be needed to staff vaccine dispensing points. MRCGKC is striving to recruit as many qualified people as possible so if that an emergency occurs our volunteers would be registered and ready to be called into service as needed.
Why should I attend the bi-monthly member meetings?
Membership meetings allow volunteers to build relationships with each other, allow for regular face-to-face contact with Corps leadership, maintain skill levels and participate in trainings, and learn about topics of interest from special guest speakers.
Am I required to report for duty at the time of an emergency, even if my employer needs me, or if I have family commitments?
As an MRCGKC volunteer, you should expect to be called to help in an emergency. You should be as prepared as possible, and make plans for your family, too, so that you are available to help. However, work and family commitments are understood and you are under no formal obligation to report should you be called. We hope you will plan ahead and be prepared to assist your community with MRCGKC should an emergency occur.
What kind of training will I get for dealing with emergencies?
Volunteers are expected to complete a series of required classes within twelve-months of acceptance into the unit. These classes are Orientation to the MRCGKC, IS100 National Incident Management System (NIMS), IS200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, IS700 Public Health and Disaster Response and IS800 National Response Framework, An Introduction. All are offered online and all are at no charge to you. Orientation classes are offered bi-monthly before the Full Corps meetings.
How will I be contacted in an emergency?
When you register with MRCGKC, you will provide your contact information - email, home address, phone numbers, etc. The Emergency Activation and Deployment Team will use this information to contact you with routine information or in the event of an emergency. It is very important that you keep your contact information up to date. MRCGKC requires you to register in Missouri's Show-Me Response data base, as all of MRCGKC deployments come from this source. You may also register in Kansas' K-SERV data base to be deployed by the State of Kansas.
Does acceptance for membership in MRCGKC legally obligate me to volunteer in an emergency?
No. Your service with MRCGKC is voluntary and you are not legally obligated to assist in an emergency or any other situation. At the time an emergency occurs, you may be alerted or called and asked to volunteer. The decision you make at that time is up to you.
Are there any provisions for compensating me for time lost from work or other expenses?
At this time, no provisions exist for compensating volunteers for time lost from work, mileage, meal costs, etc. In the event of an emergency, such provisions may be available, but they are not defined at this time.
Will I be asked to volunteer for an emergency event outside the Kansas City area?
The MRCGKC is intended to be a local response unit and there are currently no plans to send volunteers outside of the area. However, if you are registered in the either the Kansas or Missouri state medical response registries (K-SERV and/or Show-Me Response), you may elect to be available for deployment to events outside the Kansas City metropolitan area. Your service during any event, no matter where it is located, is entirely voluntary.
What will be my level or length of volunteer commitment to MRCGKC?
There is no specific required number of volunteer hours or length of service.
The Medical Reserve Corps of Greater Kansas City is looking for a variety of individuals. We are one of the few MRCs in the nation who offer membership to "non-medical" as well as medical professionals . We have expanded our focus to include support for local emergency management as well as public health. People with skills in the health-care field are, of course, needed to meet clinical needs, should they arise. However, volunteers who do not have any medical training are also encouraged to join the Medical Reserve Corps. For the safety of our volunteers and the people we serve, our policy is to background check all of our volunteers before final acceptance.
How many people will be needed?
This will depend on the emergency and the needs of the community. If, for example, there would be an emergency in the Kansas City metropolitan area requiring the entire population be vaccinated against a specific disease, it is estimated that more than 16,000 individuals would be needed to staff vaccine dispensing points. MRCGKC is striving to recruit as many qualified people as possible so if that an emergency occurs our volunteers would be registered and ready to be called into service as needed.
Why should I attend the bi-monthly member meetings?
Membership meetings allow volunteers to build relationships with each other, allow for regular face-to-face contact with Corps leadership, maintain skill levels and participate in trainings, and learn about topics of interest from special guest speakers.
Am I required to report for duty at the time of an emergency, even if my employer needs me, or if I have family commitments?
As an MRCGKC volunteer, you should expect to be called to help in an emergency. You should be as prepared as possible, and make plans for your family, too, so that you are available to help. However, work and family commitments are understood and you are under no formal obligation to report should you be called. We hope you will plan ahead and be prepared to assist your community with MRCGKC should an emergency occur.
What kind of training will I get for dealing with emergencies?
Volunteers are expected to complete a series of required classes within twelve-months of acceptance into the unit. These classes are Orientation to the MRCGKC, IS100 National Incident Management System (NIMS), IS200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, IS700 Public Health and Disaster Response and IS800 National Response Framework, An Introduction. All are offered online and all are at no charge to you. Orientation classes are offered bi-monthly before the Full Corps meetings.
How will I be contacted in an emergency?
When you register with MRCGKC, you will provide your contact information - email, home address, phone numbers, etc. The Emergency Activation and Deployment Team will use this information to contact you with routine information or in the event of an emergency. It is very important that you keep your contact information up to date. MRCGKC requires you to register in Missouri's Show-Me Response data base, as all of MRCGKC deployments come from this source. You may also register in Kansas' K-SERV data base to be deployed by the State of Kansas.
Does acceptance for membership in MRCGKC legally obligate me to volunteer in an emergency?
No. Your service with MRCGKC is voluntary and you are not legally obligated to assist in an emergency or any other situation. At the time an emergency occurs, you may be alerted or called and asked to volunteer. The decision you make at that time is up to you.
Are there any provisions for compensating me for time lost from work or other expenses?
At this time, no provisions exist for compensating volunteers for time lost from work, mileage, meal costs, etc. In the event of an emergency, such provisions may be available, but they are not defined at this time.
Will I be asked to volunteer for an emergency event outside the Kansas City area?
The MRCGKC is intended to be a local response unit and there are currently no plans to send volunteers outside of the area. However, if you are registered in the either the Kansas or Missouri state medical response registries (K-SERV and/or Show-Me Response), you may elect to be available for deployment to events outside the Kansas City metropolitan area. Your service during any event, no matter where it is located, is entirely voluntary.
What will be my level or length of volunteer commitment to MRCGKC?
There is no specific required number of volunteer hours or length of service.