USF volunteers support Tampa Bay through hurricane disaster relief

As Tampa Bay endured the historic impact of two major hurricanes in quick succession, volunteers from across USF and USF Health came together to provide essential services and support to the region through the USF Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). 
 
Activating on Sept. 23 in anticipation of Hurricane Helene and remaining mobilized throughout Hurricane Milton, USF CERT partnered with local government and philanthropic organizations to aid recovery operations and provide critical relief before, after and during the storms.   
 
All told, more than 123 USF volunteers dedicated over 1,306 hours to disaster relief through CERT, with USF Health students, faculty and staff taking on a leading role in the effort, whether coordinating shelter transportation or distributing meals and clothing.  

“We have seen a remarkable response by our USF community and witnessed a real surge in people wanting to contribute,” said Elizabeth Dunn, MPH, CPH, director of CERT and instructor at the USF Health College of Public Health.  
 

 
Before the Hurricanes struck, USF CERT volunteers began essential preparations at the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), coordinating shelter transportation, assisting with local government requests and working with the Hillsborough County communications department to provide public updates. As the storms approached, CERT volunteers collaborated with Hillsborough County Social Services to compile and communicate hurricane preparedness strategies. 
 
“A lot of the people in our community are living alone, are elderly or do not have family in the area,” said Katelyn Pike, a USF College of Public Health undergraduate student volunteering with CERT. “They didn’t have anyone there for them, so we did our best to make sure they could get somewhere safe.” 
 

During the storms, student volunteers helped develop damage assessment plans and managed post-storm transportation coordination. Once the evacuation orders were lifted, the students worked to close local shelters, coordinate transport to state shelters at the Hard Rock Casino and provide ongoing support by addressing residents’ reported damage. The team is now focused on post-storm outreach, making calls to assess community needs, developing resource lists and maintaining a dashboard for distributing aid across the country.  
 

Presently, USF Health Students remain instrumental in providing support for those affected. At Comfort and Hygiene Support Stations, students continue to distribute meals and clothing, assemble hygiene kits and provide drinking supplies. USF CERT is also partnering with the Salvation Army and Tampa Bay Health & Medical Preparedness Coalition Warehouse to deliver daily meals and other essential supplies to people in need.  
 
“We are just trying to do anything we can to give back to this wonderful community we call Tampa Bay,” said Hari-Krishna, a graduate student in the USF Health College of Public Health. “It is nice to see people unite over such a cause with no other motivation except to help others.” 
 
For students, faculty and staff interested in contributing to the disaster relief efforts, volunteer opportunities are still available at the Hillsborough County Comfort and Hygiene Support Stations, managed by the county’s Office of Emergency Management linked here.

“It doesn't matter how big or small your effort is,” said Pike. “It truly does have an impact.” 

Story, photos, and video by Ryan Rossy, USF Health Communications & Marketing.