01/20/2025
Dear Incredible Team Members,
I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your years of unwavering dedication and service to our community. Since the formation of the Fort Bend County Medical Reserve Corps (FBMRC) by Homeland Preparedness Project (HPP) in 2007, we have made incredible strides in filling a critical gap in the county's ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies.
Through hurricanes, floods, winter storms, and the COVID-19 pandemic, you, our MRC Team Members, have consistently stepped up and fulfilled every mission, no matter the challenge. During calm times and turbulent ones, you’ve worked tirelessly in all conditions—heat, cold, rain, and drought—to provide public health outreach, first aid, cooling stations, and more for events across our region.
Seventeen years later, we are proud to have grown our unit to over 7,000 volunteers, collectively contributing over 47,000 service hours to the community. I’ve said it many times before, and I’ll say it again—our volunteers are simply the best. Thank you for everything you do!
However, I must share an important update. On June 30, 2024, we were notified that Homeland Preparedness Project’s contract with Fort Bend County, which has supported the funding of FBMRC, would not be renewed effective July 1, 2024. This will bring an end to our longstanding partnership of 17 years.
Since that time, we’ve continued to serve Fort Bend County in various ways—most recently by assisting with Hurricane Beryl recovery efforts, assisting residents of Fort Bend County with Crisis Cleanup registration and help start their FEMA claims. Since then, we have continued to provide Stop The Bleed training and other lifesaving skills to nearly 100 Fort Bend County residents.
On January 6, we learned that the National MRC Office had received a request from Fort Bend County to take over the housing organization for FBMRC. Unfortunately, discussions with the Regional MRC Coordinator and Fort Bend County revealed concerns raised by the leadership of Fort Bend County Health and Human Services, who stated that they stated our members were not reliable and did not meet their standards. We strongly disagree with this assessment, as our team has consistently delivered on every mission over the course of 17 years, except for two—both of which we declined due to concerns for the safety of our Team Members stemming from inadequate planning by Fort Bend County Health and Human Services. From day one, the safety of our volunteers has always been a top priority.
Friday, January 17, 2025, we learned that the MRC National Office has agreed to transfer the housing organization to Fort Bend County Health and Human Services. While we vehemently disagree with this decision, we want to assure you that we remain fully committed to serving the residents of Fort Bend County.
Although we will no longer be affiliated with Fort Bend County Health and Human Services or the FBMRC, HPP will continue to provide high-quality training and be an active participant in community events. We will remain ready to respond to emergencies in Fort Bend County and any other jurisdiction where we can offer support.
The value of our team and the service you provide is immeasurable. We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of you and look forward to continuing to work together at future events and training sessions.
Once again, thank you for all that you do to make our community a safer place to live. We truly have the best Team Members anywhere.
-Bill Ray
Executive Director
