NORWICH – Planning officials are ironing out the final details of an extensive undertaking that will bridge training opportunities for U.S. service members with the health care needs of local residents.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Chenango County Department of Planning and Development met with military personnel to discuss preparations for Greater Chenango Cares, an innovative readiness training program (IRT) that coaches service members to provide health care services during emergencies and disasters. At the same time, IRT training events all across the country provide health care services at no cost to community members in a win-win scenario.
Greater Chenango Cares will include medical, dental, optometry and veterinary services to residents of Chenango County and outlaying areas. The event is set for July 13-23 at the Norwich High School.
This will mark the first IRT exercise in the northeast.
Major William Keeney, officer in charge of the mission, said the benefit of IRT training is just as much for the community as it is for the military.
“From a health care standpoint, we not only have some of the best trained doctors, nurses and providers who are doing this in their civilian careers and are now in reserves, but we can also bring it back to our neighborhoods for those areas that might be underserved,” Keeney said. “We’re excited to be part of the Greater Chenango Cares mission here because this is actually one of the best communities involved that we have seen in a long time.”
While service members typically set up hospital tents for IRT exercises, the Norwich City School District has offered use of the high school building – a luxury that’s seldom made available during IRT events, Keeney pointed out. “This is actually much more beneficial for a patient encounter and it’s going to be much more comfortable for our civilian counterparts and for our military folks.”
“One of the key benefits of this training program is being able to come together with other service components and train in a joint environment,” said Navy IRT Program Manager Brian Raymond, citing the rare opportunity for all branches of the U.S. military to train together. “From a community side, it’s a great benefit to be able to provide these services.”
“We were lucky to have the service members here for the final planning conference this weekend,” said Donna Jones, Director of the Chenango County Department of Planning and Economic Development. The department is the lead agency for Greater Chenango Cares. “We were able to get a lot of issues resolved, and we think we’ll be ready to go.”
While medical and optometry services will be addressed on a first come, first served basis, people wishing to take advantage of dental and veterinary care are encouraged to call the planning department at 337-1640 to schedule an appointment. The department will not begin scheduling appointments until after June 15.
The department is currently coordinating with the Chenango SPCA in respect to veterinary services.
For more information on the upcoming Greater Chenango Cares, visit the Chenango County Planning and Development Office website at www.co.chenango.ny.us/planning or email greaterchenangocares@gmail.com. You can also like Greater Chenango Cares on Facebook.