MRC Volunteer Assistance

Fairfax Medical Reserve Corps to Provide Volunteer Assistance and
Recruit Volunteers at Reindeer Run Dec. 9

December 6 , 2006

The Fairfax Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), a program of the Fairfax County Health Department, will provide volunteer assistance and recruit for additional MRC volunteers at the Lifetime Fitness annual Reindeer Run on Dec. 9 at 8 a.m., at Westfield High School in Chantilly.

The Reindeer Run is a fund-raiser organized by Lifetime Fitness for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

This event will be one of several upcoming Fairfax MRC recruitment efforts. The Fairfax MRC has approximately 3,600 registered volunteers, with a goal to reach 6,000 in the coming year.

“We will be expanding our partnerships with businesses and community groups in 2007 to enhance recruitment opportunities,” said Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H., health director.

The all-volunteer MRC is designed to augment the capacity of the public health system to respond to large scale events related to bioterrorism or widespread epidemics. “Our MRC volunteers are an essential component in our efforts to prepare and respond to public health emergencies in our community,” said Addo-Ayensu.

During a public health emergency, trained MRC volunteers would staff dispensing sites where vaccination or medication would be provided to county residents. In a worst-case scenario, this could mean providing for more than 1.2 million people in three to five days. To accomplish this, 50 teams, comprising 236 people per team, are needed.

Volunteers are needed from both medical and non-medical professions.

Those who wish to register as a volunteer with the Fairfax MRC can do so online at www.fairfaxmrc.org or by calling 703-246-2433, TTY 703-591-6435. To register for the Reindeer Run, call 1-800-430-5433, ext. 100330.

For more information about public health emergency planning in Fairfax County, call the Health Department at 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435, or visit the Health Department Web site.