Volunteer Information

Dear Citizen,

As part of the emergency preparedness planning for Arizona, the Graham County Health Department is developing contingency plans for smallpox vaccination clinics and for dispensing National Pharmaceutical Stockpile materials (antibiotics, vaccinations, etc). While the immediate health threat to Graham County residents is extremely low, the need to be prepared exists. In the event of a critical county or statewide emergency, the help of trained volunteers would be needed to provide services to potentially large numbers of people.

Our goal is to identify community members willing to assist in a public health emergency. The need for support staff in working with community emergency management planning is very great. Your willingness to participate would be invaluable in helping to meet our community needs. Your training in First Aid and CPR will make you a valuable resource. Some examples of volunteer duties could include:

Forms/Info Packet Distribution - put together patient forms/info packets and handouts with information sheets/registration forms.

Video Orientation - run a video for the public that provides information regarding clinic procedures, paperwork, reason for vaccination or antibiotics, and contraindications.

Referral Personnel - check screening forms and refer persons to appropriate clinic stations and assist persons with special needs.

Medical Records/Data Entry - collect retained records and enter registration and vaccination/antibiotic information into a computer database.

Language Translation - translate information in English to the language needed, either verbally or in writing.

All volunteers would be provided an appropriate level of training on the work or group for which they volunteer or are assigned.

If you, or anyone you know, are willing to serve in this important effort, please complete the attached form and return it to the Health Department.

I look forward to hearing from you. If you have any questions or need further information, I may be reached at the phone number listed above. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Brian Douglas

Bioterrorism and Emergency Response Coordinator