26A-1-126

26A-1-126 is the portion of the Utah Code that outlines Medical Reserve Corps. It is important for all MRC members to be familiar with this portion of the code, especially as it pertains to deploying in an emergency.

To volunteer as a member of the MRC during an emergency the following conditions need to be met per 26A-1-126:

• A public health emergency has been declared
• MRC members are activated by and under the supervision of the local health department
• During the emergency the MRC member carries a certificate (or official ID) issued by local health department which designates they are an official member of the MRC

MRC members with professional licenses (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc.), can only perform within the scope of their license. However, in some circumstances the local health department may authorize individual MRC members to operate in a modified scope of practice if necessary to respond to the declared emergency. Never operate outside your scope of practice unless this has been authorized by the local health department during the emergency response.