Poison Center seeks community volunteers

The Florida/USVI Poison Information Center–Jacksonville continues to deliver free life-saving and prevention awareness education to the general public through the center's Community Volunteer Program. The Community Volunteer Program utilizes individuals to provide a clear understanding of poison center services and poison prevention knowledge to residents in the center's service area.

The Community Volunteer Program is in its second year of operation and is currently accepting applications from individuals who have a desire to learn about poisoning emergencies and then share this free information with community-related groups. The community volunteer helps the public to gain insight into how poison centers save lives and hundreds of dollars on unnecessary doctor and emergency room visits related to accidental poisonings.

"The community volunteer plays an invaluable role in providing our community with needed education highlighting the free, professional services of the Poison Center," said Vicki Coppen, RN, education coordinator. "The community volunteer is an integral part of achieving our goal of educating and protecting the residents in our service area of 42 counties and the U. S. Virgin Islands from accidental poisoning exposures. The only cost to the volunteer is their time."

Community volunteer positions are available by calling the Education Office with the Florida/USVI Poison Information Center–Jacksonville at 904-244-4465. You can also request, through the Education Office, a community volunteer to provide poison prevention information at your community event, per their availability.

The Community Volunteer Program currently has eight trained volunteers with outreach to various counties around the service area including Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, St. Johns, Hernando, Pasco, Citrus, Flagler, Volusia and Union counties.

If you suspect a poisoning has occurred, or if you have questions concerning poisonings, immediately call the Poison Center Help line toll free at 1-800-222-1222 and a specialist in poison information will assist you. Don't waste time on the Internet; call the Poison Center for the right answer the first time.