Public Health Reserve Corps

Volunteer roles will vary, depending on the emergency or disaster and what staffing needs exist. Volunteers may also be assigned duties that are different from traditional every day work duties. For example, a physician may assist with checking blood glucose at a community fair, giving injections at a vaccination clinic, or providing patient education on carbon monoxide poisoning. Support volunteers may be asked to enter patient data, or serve as a patient greeter. PHRC volunteers will not be assigned to roles that they do not feel comfortable with or that jeopardize their health and safety.

Examples of volunteer roles may include but not limited to:

Are you bilingual? We want you!

In an effort to ensure equal access to emergency information and services, Public Health — Seattle & King County is working to increase the language capacity and diversity among Public Health Reserve Corps volunteers. We are looking to build our reserve corps with volunteers who are multilingual and can provide culturally appropriate services to king county residents in the event of an emergency or disaster.

As you may know, the demographics of King County are changing and we are becoming increasingly diverse! Approximately 11% of King County residents speak English "not well" and 3% don't speak English at all. By joining the PHRC, you will be working with us to assure equity—before, during and after an emergency. Sign up today and help your community!

PHRC language volunteers receive briefing.

Licensed medical volunteer qualifications

Licensed medical, nursing, or public health students
If students have an active professional license, they can apply as a medical volunteer.

Medical residents and interns
Medical residents and interns will work under the supervision of Public Health — Seattle & King County's Medical Director or Chief of Pharmacy.

Retired medical professionals
Retired medical professionals are valuable assets and are encouraged to apply. If they have an active professional license, they can apply as a medical volunteer.

Non-medical, non-licensed volunteer qualifications

Anyone who:

• is 18 years old or older
• successfully passes a criminal background check
• is not employed by King County government
• works well in stressful situations
• has good customer service skills
• works well in a team

Who cannot become a volunteer?

King County employees
King County employees will be needed to support King County operations during disasters.

Minors
You must be at least 18 years old to join the PHRC.

The Public Health Reserve Corps augments response activities by Public Health — Seattle & King County in a medical emergency or disaster. Currently, volunteers in the program will be focused on specific Public Health response functions, augmentation of the Tuberculosis or Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Immunizations programs’ response, mass vaccination clinics or support of local disaster shelters.

For example:

• In 2017, our volunteers have provided support to Public Health in response to TB and mumps.
• Every fall, PHRC volunteers support Public Health's Healthcare for the Homeless Network to provide free flu shots to the homeless in downtown Seattle and south King County.
  
• Our volunteers provide medical support for shelters opened by the American Red Cross in response to apartment fires that displace large groups of citizens.

PHRC Volunteers providing support at Community Exchange

The minimum time required to become a volunteer is approximately 8 hours including orientation and online trainings. After becoming an active volunteer, the Public Health Reserve Corps is very much an opt-in experience; meaning that volunteers are able to choose their involvement level. Certain volunteers attend community outreach events, trainings, and drills consistently, whereas others provide support primarily during large scale incidents. Time spent volunteering during an emergency will vary depending on the scenario and volunteer availability.

• In order to keep our medical volunteers skills sharp and practice Incident Command System (ICS) we operate several medical support points in the at risk community where our volunteers provide first aid and referrals.
  
• Each year our volunteers provide medical and support volunteers to the running of the Seattle King County Clinic
  
• Each year our volunteers staff the Veterans Stand Down

First and foremost, Public Health understands that your first commitment is to your employer. In a large emergency in which the health care system is impacted, your responsibilities are with your employer.

However, many type of events in which the Public Health Reserve Corps would assist will be of a smaller scale and may not have a significant impact on the larger health care system. In addition, the Public Health Reserve Corps is involved in community outreach in the absence of an emergency.

The Public Health Reserve Corps strives to offer trainings relevant to emergency response and personal preparedness. Previous trainings offered include: Psychological first aid, HAM radio operation, basic disaster life support, and family preparedness. During an emergency, volunteers will receive just-in-time training relevant to their role in the incident. Several drills, including a mass vaccination drill, are held a year that also allow volunteers to train on public health equipment and practice working together.

Required training and certification of PHRC volunteers

Prior to acceptance into the PHRC, volunteers are required to complete the following training:

• Sign up for and attend the PHRC volunteer orientation described below
• FEMA's introduction to the Incident Command System
• FEMA's National Incident Management System

Once trainings and certifications are complete volunteers must provide copies of completion certificates to Public Health to include in volunteer personnel files.

Volunteers receive liability protection and compensation for injury or death through the State of Washington's Emergency Worker Program during State approved training events and emergency missions.

• For liability protection description, see RCW 38.52.180(2)
• For compensation for injury or death description, see RCW 38.52.260, .290, .340, and .190
• Washington state rules governing the Emergency Worker Program are contained in Chapter 118-04 WAC

More information:

• Emergency worker liability coverage
• Retired volunteer medical worker coverage

Volunteer time is uncompensated from King County.