More than 300 AU volunteers step up to assist Dorian evacuees

12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019

AU Medical Reserve Corps volunteers needed year-round

This past Monday, Volunteer Services and Community Engagement at Augusta University put out a call for volunteers to support community emergency shelters that were activated as a result of Hurricane Dorian, and more than 300 students and employees offered to lend a hand to our coastal Georgia neighbors in need. While many served in eight local shelters, others helped in administrative and support roles.

Situations like Hurricane Dorian can happen any time, so please consider formally joining the Augusta University Medical Reserve Corps (AU MRC). By joining this preparedness program, you will be cleared to volunteer for future emergency events without additional on-the-spot clearance requirements. For more information on joining the AU MRC, submit your application here.

6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019

AU volunteers step up to assist evacuees

Augusta University volunteers are welcoming evacuees with open arms and medical care as Hurricane Dorian approaches the Georgia and South Carolina coasts.

Over 185 students, faculty and staff have already signed up through the university’s Office of Volunteer Services and Engagement to serve those in need in the Augusta area, and there are 131 active members in the university’s Medical Reserve Corps ready to assist.

If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity during Hurricane Dorian, complete the Emergency Relief Volunteer Application form here.

Read more about Augusta University’s relief efforts.

6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, 2019

Richmond County schools closed Tuesday-Thursday

The Richmond County School System has closed area schools from Tuesday, Sept. 3, through Thursday, Sept. 5, in preparation to house Hurricane Dorian evacuees.

Augusta University supports its employees facing hurricane-related childcare challenges but must also remain committed to the educational, research and care obligations to our students and patients. Therefore, Augusta University and Augusta University Health employees affected by the closures will need to take annual leave if they cannot secure childcare. Health system employees will need to use PTO hours to stay home with a child.

In both cases, employees should first request approval from their supervisor.

Also, employees who wish to volunteer to assist evacuees must first ask their supervisor for approval and also take annual leave (AU) or PTO (AU Health).

Continue to check Augusta University Alerts page for the most up to date information regarding Hurricane Dorian.

1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, 2019

Medical volunteers needed to assist evacuees

As Hurricane Dorian moves closer to our neighbors along the coast of Georgia and emergency shelters begin to be established here in Richmond County, medical and non-medical volunteers will be needed to assist evacuees at these locations.

If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please complete the Emergency Relief Volunteer Application form here. All volunteers are required to undergo a background screening and attend a brief training orientation related to your specific volunteer assignment to ensure that you are fully equipped to be successful in your assigned location. This form will also allow you to share your schedule availability and any special skills or certifications that may support this effort.

Once your application has been processed and confirmed, you will be contacted, based on need, by a member of our emergency response team within the next couple of days with instructions regarding your volunteer placement and schedule.

If you are currently a badged member of the AU Medical Reserve Corps, you should have already received communication regarding your role.

Thank you in advance for your continued commitment to serving our neighbors as we come together to make a positive difference in our community.

Continue to check Augusta University Alerts page for the most up to date information regarding Hurricane Dorian.

11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2, 2019

Augusta University prepares to offer support to coastal evacuees

The most recent update from the National Hurricane Center maintains the track of Hurricane Dorian staying offshore. If the storm maintains its projected track, the CSRA is not expected to receive significant impact.

For now, operations on all of our campuses, including classes and clinical activities, will continue as normal.

The cone of uncertainty still includes all of coastal Georgia. Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a mandatory evacuation for everyone east of I-95 along the entire coast of Georgia. Augusta will be receiving general population evacuees from Savannah starting today. Functional needs evacuees will arrive this afternoon.

Augusta University is heavily involved as a support organization for the Department of Public Health and Richmond County EMA partners. Augusta University Medical Center may also be asked to accept patients from impacted facilities.

Updates will appear on the Jagwire page for Augusta University Alerts. Please visit this page for the most up to date information.

9:20 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019

Augusta University monitoring Hurricane Dorian

As Hurricane Dorian approaches the Atlantic Coast, Augusta University and Augusta University Health officials are closely monitoring forecasts. For now, operations on all of our campuses, including classes and clinical activities, will continue as normal.

In the coming days, officials will be communicating information about the storm and its potential to affect the operations of the university and health system. These updates will appear on the Jagwire page for Augusta University Alerts. Please visit this page regularly for the most up to date information.

Emergency Notifications

Receive emergency notifications quickly. To ensure you receive alerts via calls and text messages, sign up for alerts from the Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPaR) team.

Be prepared

Do you have a personal preparedness plan? Being prepared reduces stress and increases your chances of having a positive outcome during emergencies. A few moments of preparation can make a world of difference.

• Emergency Preparedness Checklist
• Pet and Animal Emergency Planning
• Ready Georgia
• Zello Communication
• Hurricane Safety Tips
• Evacuation Guidelines 

For more information on disaster preparedness, check the links above.