Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (OKMRC)

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) sponsors the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (OKMRC), a trained cadre of medical, public health, and community volunteers.  The OKMRC supplements existing response systems, and is made up of not only medical professionals, but also people without a medical background.

In the event of a catastrophic health emergency, many people will be affected.  The public health system is responsible for organizing and staffing a mass dispensing or mass immunization effort.  Although public health employees will be utilized to staff this effort, OKMRC volunteers will be needed to make the response a success.

In addition to a catastrophic health emergency, the OKMRC may also assist with:

• Disaster Response

• Drills and Exercises

• Preparedness and Wellness Education

• Public Health Initiatives

• Community Events

OKMRC volunteers receive uniforms and state issued identification badges.  Training opportunities are offered throughout the state, including First Aid/CPR, Psychological First Aid, Basic Disaster Life Support and Core Disaster Life Support.  OKMRC volunteers gain valuable response experience and are recognized at the local, state and national levels for their contributions.  For more information, or to apply for membership to go www.okmrc.org or contact the OKMRC Coordinator at (405) 290-8549.

The Emergency System for Advance Registration for Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) is another federal program designed to pre-identify volunteer medical professionals.  In Oklahoma, the ESAR-VHP program is combined with the established OKMRC program.  To streamline the registration process, there is no separate ESAR-VHP program in Oklahoma, and the ESAR-VHP registry serve as the OKMRC database.  Learn more about ESAR-VHP.