How do I Get Started?

We need your help! Are you needed? Most definitely! UAMS AHEC in conjunction with the Arkansas DHHS, FEMA, and Homeland Security is charged with developing and coordinating their respective Medical Reserve Corps. The goal is to have a coordinated medical response to disasters be it natural or man-made.  The MRC will set up an off-site medical facility to relieve the area hospital(s) in the affected area.

1. You can start by registering with the US Surgeon General’s Medical Reserve Corps.
   This is a national website every state uses to establish teams of public health and medical professionals. There are currently 722 MRC units nationally with 148,958 volunteers.
2. Once you are registered, you are encouraged to contact your area AHEC MRC Coordinator: Find Your Area Coordinator
   This link lists the 9 AHEC locations in Arkansas with the contact name and number of the Coordinators. Some MRC units are further along than others. This is your opportunity to assist your local MRC Coordinator by bringing respiratory care to the table. As a member of the Medical Reserve Corps, you can contribute on the community and state level.
   If you have a question about your state regional coordinator, you may contact Stacy Sayre, MRC National Region VI Coordinator for Arkansas at 214-767-3182.
3. Register with the State of Arkansas
   An Arkansas, ESAR-VHP Registration website became operational in November, 2007. The Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services (ADHHS) offers a secure web-based electronic registry of health professionals. The ESAR-VHP (pronounced "e-sar vip") is an acronym for Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals. The purpose of the ESAR-VHP program is to establish a national network of State-based programs to effectively facilitate the use of volunteers in local, territorial, state, and federal emergency responses.  Advance electronic registration of healthcare and support volunteers will allow pre-verification of personal information and professional credentials prior to a disaster.  This provides readiness as soon as a disaster strikes. ARVolunteerHealthProfessionals@arkansas.gov or call 501-661-2940 for additional information.