We Shifted Focus of Emergency Preparedness to Support National Security Events and Respond to Natural Disasters

In 2005, MSDC, DC officials, and the healthcare community continued to prepare for a large-scale, city-wide emergency that all hoped would never occur. 

Fortunately, no bioterrorist events warranted the involvement of MSDC's emergency preparedness program.  As a result, the local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)-originally conceived with an emergency response focus-gained valuable experience by providing support at national security events.  These activities included the second inauguration ceremonies of President George W. Bush in January 2005. 

In September 2005, another job for the MRC blew in from the Atlantic-to support relief efforts following the devastation and displacement caused by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.  DC physicians went to the areas affected by these hurricanes to lend support, and the MRC provided medical care to hundreds of evacuees transported to the DC Armory in the days following Katrina.