MRCEPC

About the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

The Medical Reserve Corps is a national network of community-based volunteer units under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, designed to bolster local capacity for public health, emergency response, and resilience. 

Across the country, more than 300,000 volunteers in approximately 800 local units serve their communities by stepping in during times of crisis — be it natural disasters, pandemics, or public health emergencies. 

Volunteers range from medical professionals and public health practitioners to everyday citizens — logisticians, communicators, administrative support, and beyond — all trained and ready to contribute when their community needs them most. 

The national MRC office supports the entire network by offering coordination, best practices, training, technical assistance, and funding opportunities. 

MRCEPC (Medical Reserve Corps of El Paso County, Colorado)

The Medical Reserve Corps of El Paso County (MRCEPC) was chartered in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to serve and protect our local community in times of health emergencies and disasters. 

MRCEPC brings together licensed clinicians, public health professionals, and non-clinical volunteers to prepare, train, and respond alongside our county’s emergency services, public health, and hospital systems.

Mission & Vision

• Mission: To organize and prepare non-hospital–based medical and health-adjacent volunteers so that, in times of major disaster — whether natural or man-made — the physical, medical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing of our people and families is met. 

• Vision: To integrate seamlessly with local public health, emergency management, and healthcare agencies, bolster community medical resource coordination, and expand surge capacity via alternate care facilities when needed. 

Proven Local Impact

• During the Waldo Canyon Fire (2012), MRCEPC contributed 1,644 volunteer hours, including medical, behavioral health, and coordination support at shelters and reentry zones. 

• In the Black Forest Fire (2013), volunteers provided medical services at shelters, tetanus shots, behavioral health support, and reoccupation assistance. 

• Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, MRCEPC volunteers logged over 9,400 hours helping with vaccination clinics, contact tracing, staffing long-term care facilities, behavioral health support, and more. 

• At its pandemic peak, volunteer numbers surged from ~120 to ~557; today, MRCEPC maintains about 240 active volunteers. 

Training & Readiness

MRCEPC maintains a Basic Training Plan in the CO TRAIN system, focusing on disaster health core competencies to equip volunteers ahead of activation. Volunteers may also contribute in logistics, communications, planning, and administrative roles during both drills and real-world events.