Department of health seeking volunteers

Greetings,

I am the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Coordinator here in Marion county.  MRC has been created to enhance Marion county’s emergency preparedness and is designed to supplement the local health care system during a public health emergency.  We are responsible for manning the Special Needs Shelter to accommodate certain clients during hurricane warnings and any disaster event.  We utilize volunteers to help with our Special Needs Shelter (at Westport High School),  back to school immunizations, school health screenings, Hep-A vaccine Pods, and any other emergent vaccines needed. We utilize volunteers in many clerical functions as well,  as the need arises.  We are located in the Marion County Health Department.

If you are interested in giving back to the community you live in, please contact me by return e-mail or phone call and I can send out our information package to you with forms to complete.  We will have an evening orientation on February  27th from 5:30pm to 6:45pm.  Please RSVP if you would like to attend the evening orientation.  Unfortunately, if you need evening orientation, you would need to schedule fingerprinting during the weekday from 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday. 

I am also willing to do one on one orientation with anyone during the week to accommodate your work or retirement schedule. We do a background check, at our expense, for all volunteers. A number of people have completed the forms and met with me and our HR background screener for fingerprinting during the day even on their lunchtime.  With the forms completed,  this process can be completed in as little as thirty minutes.

Some of our volunteers are only able to attend and help at one event each year and we are grateful for any volunteer hours.  We also have numerous training with CEU credits we offer to our staff and volunteers as well. 

If you are interested, I can send out an information package with all the forms you would need to complete to be a volunteer as well as information regarding Medical Reserve Corps.  

Thanking you in advance for your consideration.

 Warm regard,

April M. Irvin
Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator
Florida Department of Health in Marion County
1801 SE 32nd Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
Office: 352-644-2742
Email: April.Irvin@FLHealth.gov