Volunteer Programs

Volunteer Monroe

Residents are encouraged to apply as volunteers to assist Monroe County Emergency Management and the county in recovery efforts. During an emergency event, volunteers may be asked to help out in county shelters, the informational hotline, in the Emergency Operations Center, or other areas. 

• Apply For Volunteer Monroe

Monroe Emergency Reserve Corps (MERC)

Monroe County Emergency Management believes that “strengthening the Florida Keys communities through volunteerism and service” is not just a mission statement; it is a way of life. 

Following lessons learned from Hurricane Irma, Monroe County Emergency Management created a Monroe Emergency Reserve Corps (MERC) that is made up of volunteers with a variety of talents and skills who would like to help in times of emergency in the Florida Keys.

Citizen volunteers who go through Monroe County’s Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) and become part of the volunteer MERC can obtain early reentry placards. 

• Monroe Emergency Reserve Corps (MERC) Website 
• FEMA CERT Program 

The first phase is taking a free online FEMA course: FEMA IS-317 Introduction to CERT. It takes about 6 to 8 hours to complete.  The second phase includes 16 hours of in-person CERT training at locations throughout the Keys. Local CERT instructors teach these classes.  A third phase includes practical skills and exercises.

Local Volunteer Opportunities

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Opens a New Window. 
• Wildlife Rescue (F.A.V.O.R.) Big Pine Key Opens a New Window. 
• Marathon Turtle Hospital Opens a New Window.  
• Dolphin Research Center, Marathon
• National Park Service, Florida Keys Opens a New Window.  
• NOAA, Florida Keys Opens a New Window.  
• The Conch Republic Marine Army
• United Way of the Florida Keys

Disaster Relief Agency Volunteer Opportunities

• American Red Cross Opens a New Window. 
• Medical Reserve corps Opens a New Window.Salvation Army Opens a New Window.