Utah Medical Reserve Corps in need of volunteers

Utah has decided to align its Medical Reserve Corps with local health departments, so there are 12 of them, although one — Bear River — has two units.

All of the MRC units do background checks and verify credentials, such as that of a retired physician. In an actual emergency, any health professional who had a valid license in the last 10 years can have it reinstated for the emergency in order to provide care. Many units are actively recruiting recently retired physicians, nurses, etc., along with other volunteers.

Below are brief profiles of each unit, compiled from interviews and the most recent information provided to the Office of the Surgeon General's Medical Reserve Corps Program. Information about the MRC units is also available through local health department Web sites in most cases.

Bear River MRC:

Two units, one in Cache County and another in Box Elder County make up this MRC.

• Address: 655 E. 1300 North, Logan, UT 84341

Contact: Mike Weibel

Phone: 435-792-6520

This is Utah's first MRC, established in September 2003. They have about 100 recruits, including physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, pharmacists, EMTs/paramedics, dentists, public health workers, other medical and public health volunteers and nonmedical recruits, including a construction crew. They're the only unit that has deployed in an emergency. Five members went to Gulf Coast regions to help in Hurricane Katrina, sent out through the American Red Cross. Three members also participated in a "National Stockpile" drill in Idaho. They emphasize triage, mass clinics and other assistance in crisis.

• Address: 817 W. 950 South, Brigham City, UT 84302

Contact: Kevin Christensen

Phone: 435-695-2088

This unit was formed in May 2006 with an emphasis on mass clinics, emergency medical services in mass casualty situations and to provide health care at evacuation shelters. They list physicians, registered nurses, paramedic/EMTs, other medical and non-medical recruits already vetted.

Central Utah MRC

Serves Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier and Wayne counties.

Address: 70 Westview Drive, Richfield, UT 84701