EMERGENCY-PREPAREDNESS EFFORT - The town is spearheading an emergency-preparedness effort that will involve seven communities and be financed with a $50,000 federal grant. The effort is part of a national network of 180 Medical Reserve Corps units across the country and 11 across the state that are being created to respond to disease outbreaks, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters. In addition to Westford, the regional effort covers Billerica, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Chelmsford, Dracut, and Lowell. - Joyce Pellino Crane

Distribution of the NorthWest section is massive, covering communities as far north as Bedford, NH and as far south as Belmont, MA; eastward to North Andover and westward to Pepperell.

Publication of this Globe item resulted in yet another way of reaching people who live or work in the Upper Merrimack Valley - as well as those might spread the word to others - for their possible involvement in the Medical Reserve Corps!