Delco Citizen Corps​ Needs Volunteers Amid Coronavirus Crisis

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — The new coronavirus crisis is still ongoing, and officials in Delaware County are asking healthy and willing residents to volunteer with the Delaware County’s Citizen Corps.

Delaware County Council Vice Chair Dr. Monica Taylor said Thursday that the corps is a "critical component" to the county's response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"The all-volunteer organization is vital to ensuring our residents are protected," she said. "There is an immediate need for volunteers to staff call centers and support screenings, testing, and logistic operations in response to the COVID-19."

Volunteers are needed now, as the county plans to step up its public health response to the virus with the help of Chester County's Health Department.

Both counties said Thursday they the Chester County Health Department will take on Delco's public health response to the virus.

See details on the partnership here.

The corps seeks to "harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds."

As of Monday, there are 23 cases of the new coronavirus in Delaware County.

One aspect of the corps is the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).

The MRC is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities.

MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals, as well as other community members without healthcare backgrounds.

MRC units engage these volunteers to strengthen public health, improve emergency response capabilities and build community resiliency. They prepare for and respond to natural disasters, such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, and floods, as well as other emergencies affecting public health, such as disease outbreaks. Units frequently contribute to community health activities that promote healthy habits.

Examples of activities that MRC volunteers participate in and support include:

• Emergency Preparedness and Response Trainings
• Health Screenings
• Emergency Sheltering
• Obesity Reduction
• Responder Rehab
• Vaccination Clinics
• Disaster Medical Support
• Outreach to Underserved Community Members
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Heart Health
• Medical Facility Surge Capacity
• Tobacco Cessation
• First Aid During Large Public Gatherings
• Community Event Support
• Planning, Logistical, & Administrative Support
• Healthy Living
• Veterinary Support and Pet Preparedness
• Health Education and Promotion

"Many people in the community are asking how they can help," said Ed Kline, in the Special Operations Unit of the County’s Department of Emergency Services. "Right now, residents can do the greatest good for the greatest number by volunteering with the Citizen Corps of Delaware County."

Residents can sign up to volunteer here.

Contact Kline at klineE@co.delaware.pa.us or 215-439-1407 with questions about volunteering with the corps.