EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Health announced that it will be opening a health assessment clinic in East Palestine this week alongside the Columbiana Health Department and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The clinic will open to East Palestine residents on Feb. 21 at noon at the First Church of Christ.
In addition to the church that has two assessment rooms inside, health teams will have a mobile unit that will be parked outside to accommodate more appointments. Available staff includes registered nurses, mental health specialists and a toxicologist.
“Last week, I was in East Palestine and listened as many area residents expressed their concerns and fears,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff. “I heard you, the state heard you, and now the Ohio Department of Health and many of our partner agencies are providing this clinic, where people can come and discuss these vital issues with medical providers.”
The initial announcement for the clinic was made during a press conference on Friday with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine where he provided an update on the train derailment that caused a release of toxic chemicals.
“We're doing absolutely everything we can to assure residents to what the situation is,” he said. “I understand people have been traumatized. I understand skepticism,” DeWine said during the press conference.
DeWine also announced on Friday that FEMA will send a Regional Incident Management Assistance Team along with a senior response official.
The workers will "support ongoing operations, including incident coordination and ongoing assessments of potential long-term recovery needs."
The hours of the clinic are listed below:
Church assessment rooms
Tuesday 12-6 p.m.
Wednesday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m..
Closed Sunday.
Mobile unit
Tuesday 12-6 p.m.
Thursday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hours next week (Feb. 27 to March 4):
Church assessment rooms
Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Mobile unit
Tuesday-Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Those interested can schedule an appointing starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 20 by calling 234-564-7755 or 234-564-7888.