Lowcountry Medical Reserve Corps (LMRC)
The Lowcountry Medical Reserve Corps (LMRC) is an effort by Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties to identify volunteers in advance of a disaster or public health emergency. Medical and non-medical volunteers enrolled in the LMRC help ensure that citizens have access to vital health care services when they need it most.
While the Medical Reserve Corps is a federal initiative, the LMRC responds to local emergencies. In a local public health emergency, the three counties must be able to quickly identify and contact volunteers who have the specific skills and competencies needed to care for people who are injured or ill or have special needs. Non-medical volunteers are also needed to support health care efforts. A rapid response to emergencies helps restore stability to a community. LMRC volunteers play a critical role in making this happen.
How Team Members Can Help
Everyone can do something to help in times of disaster or emergency. As a trained volunteer, you can use your special skills to help strengthen our community-based volunteer system in unique ways:
- Assist in mass vaccinations
- Provide education
- Perform triage
- Provide patient evaluations
- Give logistical support for operations
- Administer medications
- Supplement medical staff shortages at medical and emergency facilities
Major emergencies typically overwhelm the capacity of a local community within 12-72 hours. That same time frame is when a community is totally dependent on its local resources. And if an emergency spreads beyond a local community, state and federal resources may take even longer to provide relief or assistance.
Health Care Professionals Needed
Many different health care professionals are invited to join the team: physicians, dentists, physicians’ assistants, nurses, pharmacists, veterinarians, respiratory therapists, social workers, psychologists, family counselors and others. Whether practicing, retired or otherwise employed, if you hold a valid South Carolina professional health care license, registration or certification, you can help.
Tort Liability and Medical Malpractice Coverage
LMRC participants will be enrolled as volunteers for the S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). This will ensure that volunteers have professional liability protection under DHEC liability coverage while performing their volunteer assignments.
Become Part of the Team
A local disaster requires a local response. Your willingness to volunteer your 
skills and knowledge is what the Medical Reserve Corps is all about. It starts with individuals like you who care enough to come together when your community needs you.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Lowcountry MRC, all you need to do is register on SCSERV at www.scserv.gov.
For more information about the Medical Reserve Corps please visit the MRC Frequently Asked Questions page. You can also call Barb Grube at (843) 746-3864 or e-mail us at lowcountrymrc@dhec.sc.gov.