Medical Reserve Corps of Hawaii Looking for a Few Good Men and Women

The Hawaii Medical Reserve Corps was created to provide medical and health services to the community throughout the year and in specific times of need. This organization works through natural disasters, disease outbreaks and acts of terrorism to meet the needs of Hawaiian residents. The Hawaii Medical Reserve Corps is made up entirely of volunteers, who are willing to give a portion of their time to ensure Hawaii gets the support and assistance it needs during urgent situations. The corps is also used to promote healthy lifestyle habits in Hawaii throughout the year.

Who is the Medical Reserve Corps?

Currently, the Medical Reserve Corps in Hawaii consists of about 750 volunteers located in Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Oahu. These volunteers serve in a variety of capacities, from helping out at flu clinics to providing basic medical care during a national disaster. Participants might also help out during the year, working community health events and taking training classes in emergency preparedness and other important subjects. While many of the volunteers currently on staff are members of the medical community, there are many others who never had any previous medical training who are serving in the Medical Reserve Corps.

What are the Requirements of a Medical Reserve Corps Member?

The requirements to become a part of the Medical Reserve Corps are much less than many people might think. All members are expected to attend an orientation and training session that prepares them for a variety of work with the corps. In addition, regular members must attend quarterly meetings that last about two hours. These sessions are designed to offer training in disaster preparedness. Corps members must also have a personal emergency plan in place.

Medical Reserve Corps members also have the option to attend additional training sessions, where they can network with colleagues and participate in other volunteer opportunities. These activities vary based on the time of year, need and specific location of the Medical Reserve Corps chapter. Regional and national conferences on emergency preparedness may also be made available to some members of the Hawaii Medical Reserve Corps.

Hawaii is in a unique situation, due to her geographical relationship to the rest of the country. In the event of an emergency, this island will find it necessary to display more self-sufficiency than nearly any other state in the country. For this reason, the Hawaii Medical Reserve Corps is on the lookout for a few more men and women to undergo training and join their ranks. Training sessions are available on all of the islands that host a corps chapter. Now is the time to lend your time and talents to your state to help fellow Hawaiians when they need it most.