PIMA COUNTY, March 31, 2020 - The Pima County Health Department is mobilizing volunteer opportunities through a dedicated website as the COVID-19 emergency response continues to unfold. The website, called pima.gov/COVID19Volunteer, directs volunteers to the AZ-ESAR-VHP registration system, which stands for Arizona Emergency System for the Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals.
Volunteers with any medical background may register in the ESAR system under the organization title “MRC (Medical Reserve Corps) of Southern Arizona.”
Under Governor Ducey's Executive Order issued March 30, 2020, volunteers are considered Essential Workers. Brian Eller, a program manager with the Pima County Health Department who is coordinating volunteer efforts during the pandemic, said all volunteers are welcome, particularly those with medical expertise.
Keith Boesen, a pharmacist and the chair of the Medical Reserve Corps of Southern Arizona, emphasized that registrants should be as detailed as possible with their credentials and licensing information.
“This will greatly help us place you as the situation advances,” Boesen said. “We especially will need nurses with Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit capabilities.”
When registering, volunteers may choose from three options.
- Health or medical volunteers can register under MRC of Southern Arizona;
- Pima County residents (as individuals) can register under “Pima County” or “Pima County Health Department;” and
- Faith-based and church group volunteers can register under “Pima County-Faith Based.”
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