Sarasota County
Health Department website |
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"A community's local response to
disaster is dependent on those willing to give of themselves for the
good of others."
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Palm Beach MRC
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Who can volunteer?
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Health professionals.
The Medical Reserve Corps needs practicing or retired
Florida-licensed health care professionals such as physicians,
nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, respiratory therapists,
social workers, mental health counselors, health educators,
epidemiologists, paramedics/EMTs and veterinarians, to name a
few.
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Non-health professionals
The Medical Reserve Corps also needs volunteers for key
support roles as in greeters, educators, communications, safety,
security, clinic flow direction, registration, interpreters,
supply management, pet care and chaplain services.
Where will I be volunteering?
There are many areas for volunteering.
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Disaster Response Assistance.
This assignment may take place in special needs or
general population hurricane
shelters, in mass prophylaxis drive-through dispensing sites, or
door-to-door disease investigations as a part of public health
teams, for example.
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Health Promotion
You may choose to participate in community or health
fair screenings, or serve on the mobile medical unit assisting
health department staff with outreach clinics.
What are some examples of
volunteer activities?
- Directing crowd traffic
- Triaging and registering people in special needs hurricane
shelters
- Dispensing anti-virals during drive-through medication of
the population
- Interpreting for people with limited English ability
- Distributing & collecting consent forms
- Administering preventive vaccinations
What are the benefits of
volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps?
- A sense of satisfaction from helping others in need
- Disaster training preparing you in advance for community
emergencies
- Being part of a dedicated public health and emergency
response team
- Protection under state liability coverage and worker's
compensation
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