Ocala, FL - Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) and Meadowbrook Church partnered with the City of Ocala’s Social Services Coordinator, Dennis Yonce, to offer COVID-19 testing to the homeless. The collaboration resulted in a pop-up testing site at NW 1st Avenue and NW 3rd Street, on Wednesday, May 13th.

“It was an honor that the community participated and made use of these beneficial services,” said OFR Fire Chief Shane Alexander. “Offering testing at an open setting allowed us to address this underserved population with dignity and kindness.”

Besides COVID-19 testing, participants were able to obtain Hepatitis A inoculations and a meal, compliments of Meadowbrook Church. The testing site was open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

A total of 52 individuals were tested for COVID-19. Furthermore, 18 participants opted to get vaccinated.