Introducing Sarah Bates, Linn County’s New MRC Coordinator | article by Anthony Brande

When Sarah Bates speaks of the people who make emergency response possible, there is no question of her dedication to public health. As the new Linn County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Coordinator, Sarah is responsible for ensuring the county has a well-trained, well-supported group of volunteers ready to step in during emergencies. That preparation includes everything from maintaining equipment and supplies to developing policies and procedures. Additionally, she makes sure partner agencies are aware of how invaluable the MRC is when it matters most.

Sarah brings more than two decades of public health experience to the role. She began her career in public health 25 years ago as a Health Educator working in tobacco prevention. Over time, her path led her into emergency preparedness, where she has worked in four different jurisdictions and supported statewide response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her career, she has remained passionate for protecting the community through public health. She notes that while public health does critical work every day, its impact isn’t always recognized, something she hopes to help change through community engagement and volunteer involvement.

Sarah describes volunteers as a true treasure: “They bring their backgrounds, experiences and personality to the organization and often will provide insight from a different perspective.” Volunteers are the heart of effective response from the MRC. Their differences often spark new ideas and strengthen response efforts, making volunteer programs like the MRC an essential asset during both emergencies and everyday community events.

Looking ahead to 2026, Sarah’s focus is on re-engagement. She hopes to reconnect volunteers with public health’s mission and goals, emphasizing that periodic reflection helps organizations grow and adapt to community needs. She also plans to help Linn County MRC volunteers become re-acquainted with SERV-OR and comfortable using the new Virtual Emergency Operations Center (VEOCI), a cloud-based platform intended to manage daily operations, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and critical events. Sarah is especially excited to restart familiar MRC activities, including providing first aid at community events and supporting immunization efforts throughout the county.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys hiking, camping, and gardening. At home, she’s often surrounded by baked goods thanks to her youngest daughter’s love of cooking, while her older daughter studies microbiology at Oregon State University. Sarah's love of volunteering doesn’t just stop with the MRC, it is also evident through her involvement with Girl Scouts, 4-H, and Search and Rescue.

Article written by - Anthony "Tony" Brande is a SERV-OR volunteer and a member of the Bulletin Development Team (BDT).