PROTECT TEXAS Volunteers

The Texas Department of State Health Services is charged with protecting the public's health in an emergency. We "PROTECT TEXAS" during disease outbreaks that occur naturally and from acts of bioterrorism. DSHS and many state and local agencies are working together to reduce these threats -- and YOU CAN HELP.

We need volunteers throughout Texas to help make sure medications reach people quickly in a public health emergency. Our plans are designed to protect all the people in our state, so we need assistance from thousands of Texans to make sure we get medicine to all who need it. During an emergency, we will dispense medicine from sites located in our smallest communities, our largest cities -- and the entire state, if necessary. Your involvement can help us be ready to respond, anywhere in Texas.

In the event of a public health emergency, a large number of volunteers will be needed to get medicine to people in all affected areas: to help save lives to reduce suffering to "Protect Texas" DSHS needs volunteers with a variety of expertise -- health and medical professionals, people with special skills and abilities, and all interested, concerned citizens -- to make sure we can quickly reach people in every Texas community that may need this help. We will provide orientation and training to prepare you for this vital service, requiring minimal time commitment unless needed for public health emergency response. CAN YOU HELP?

Learn more about the PROTECT TEXAS Volunteers program by viewing this PowerPoint presentation (5,991 KB) (A viewer for reading and printing this files is available. Click here.)

To volunteer, please provide your information and a program coordinator will contact you with application instructions.

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If you are a Registered Pharmacist in Texas interested in disaster service to your community, you may take the Texas Pharmacy Association CE-approved course.

If you are a Registered Nurse in Texas interested in disaster service to your community, contact the Texas Nurses Association about their Ready Texas Nurses Program.