Approximately 50 members of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Surge Capacity Force (SCF) have volunteered to assist at COVID-19 community vaccination centers.
SCF is a federal employee program that allows non-Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees to support disaster response efforts.
“TSA employees who volunteer to serve on the Surge Capacity Force have an inner passion that drives them to help others in need,” Darby LaJoye, senior official performing the duties of the TSA administrator, said. “They leave the comfort of their homes, families, and jobs to join FEMA’s efforts for weeks at a time. The push to vaccinate more Americans represents a fine example of how TSA and other (Department of Homeland Security) components jointly support the greater calling to assist our fellow Americans.”
The volunteers will deploy for up to 45 days. They will be trained in Texas then sent to communities nationwide to assist with logistics that help deliver vaccines and perform administrative duties.
Any volunteer who has not already been vaccinated will receive the vaccine when they reach a designated site.
SCF is comprised of approximately 400 volunteers. Generally, they are deployed to assist with hurricane relief efforts.