SMETHPORT — McKean County is setting up a phone bank for area residents to be listed to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
The call center is expected to be operational next week, according to McKean County officials.
The immediate need is for volunteers to staff the phone lines and enter data to generate a list of individuals for future vaccine clinics.
“In order to optimize the vaccination rollout, we must have an updated list of people who are in need of a vaccination,” said Bruce Manning, emergency management coordinator. “As we move through each phase and receive an allotment of vaccine, providers must have a list of names to call to get people registered for an appointment to utilize each and every vaccine.”
The phone bank will be stationed at the McKean County 911 center conference room. Volunteers will staff up to six local phone lines and each will have a computer to enter data into the software system. The numbers to call will be released next week when the call center is up and running.
EMA Deputy Director Gerard Rettger said that the need for volunteers for the phone center is immediate. Volunteers are needed immediately, starting Thursday, March 18 to begin entering data to centralize registration.
“We need volunteers this week for both Thursday and Friday,” said Rettger. “We would like to open the phone bank up at least two days next week with the sole intent of adding people to a list for future clinics and at least two days per week going forward until the service is no longer needed.”
The McKean County Commissioners have committed Covid-19 funding as an incentive for volunteers to work on behalf of local agencies. Each phone bank volunteer can choose to have a donation made to a list of agencies in exchange for their time spent at the call center.
“We want this to benefit the community both in assisting with vaccinations and as an incentive to volunteers who are committed to these local organizations,” said Commissioner Carol Duffy. “We have identified agencies that impact each and every community in the county.”
The agencies will include volunteer fire departments, volunteer ambulance services, veterans’ organizations, senior centers and libraries. Each phone bank volunteer will complete a voucher at the end of their shift and designate the agency to receive funding on their behalf.
“We welcome volunteers for any amount of time,” said Manning. “Ideally a half-day shift would allow the individual to get up-to-speed and comfortable with the process, but we expect the learning curve to be short and any amount of time is beneficial.”
Volunteers who are willing to work to assist EMA with the phone back should email mckeandes@mckeancountypa.org. Volunteers should provide their name, email and phone number. EMA will respond to each email to schedule shifts and inform the volunteers of the location and process to enter the building. All Covid-19 protocol will be followed for entering the building and for call center work stations.
