The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners approved an updated memorandum of understanding with the Nehalem Bay Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to formalize roles for public health emergency preparedness, including member training, activation and insurance coverage during mobilization.

Marlene Sutton, administrator for Health & Human Services, and staff described the MRC as an emergency volunteer organization that “played a pivotal role in our county’s COVID response efforts” and that the updated MOU clarifies required trainings, activation, mobilization and demobilization processes and insurance coverage for members while activated.

Commissioners thanked the MRC for its pandemic response and community service. After a motion and second, the board voted in favor of the MOU; no amendments or additional conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes.

The MOU positions the county and MRC to coordinate more formally on preparedness activities going forward.