Edgar County public health, ESDA recruit volunteers for Medical Reserve Corps; RAM clinic planned in June

Edgar County public health officials and the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) outlined plans to form a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of volunteers to support large-scale events and emergency response, and announced a RAM (Remote Area Medical) clinic scheduled at the high school in June.

Connor Dodson, identified in the meeting as the emergency preparedness director for the public health department, was cited by a board member as organizing the volunteer pool; the board member described the MRC as “what I kinda termed the Red Cross of Edgar County.” The MRC will be a volunteer pool to staff support roles during activations such as power outages affecting medically dependent residents.

County officials also said ESDA is planning for a RAM clinic in June at the high school campus; county staff reported the clinic could draw large numbers (the transcript cited an expectation of up to 2,000 people at similar events) and that volunteers and logistics planning are underway.

Nut Graf: The Medical Reserve Corps is intended to provide nonmedical volunteer support in emergencies; the RAM clinic is a volunteer-staffed free medical clinic that provides a range of services (eye exams/glasses, dental, dermatology, primary care) when deployed. County officials asked for volunteer participation and said they are coordinating volunteer roles, facility use and outreach.

Board members said the initial MRC meeting was well attended by community volunteers and that the health department refurbished signage and facilities. The county will use ESDA coordination to prepare for anticipated clinic volume and possible visitors from outside the county.

Ending: County staff asked community members to consider volunteering for the Medical Reserve Corps and said more details will be provided to coordinate volunteers for the June RAM clinic.