A new opportunity is in the works! Our unit is recognizing all of September as National Preparedness Month, with activities being held across the region on three consecutive Saturdays: community fairs on 9/11 and 9/18, and a first-time Statewide Microchip Day on 9/25. Even more important, the Town of Westford is holding a special Preparedness Day on the 25th, in conjunction with the UMV MRC and municipal services: police, fire, health, and highway departments. Check back for details!

Many thanks to the members who have agreed to staff our booths at the two major community fairs (9/11 and 9/18), which benefit from the participation of members at all skill levels. Medical volunteers will be screening visitors for blood pressures and providing health information. Non-medical members will offer literature and answer questions about family preparedness and the Surgeon General's priorities. All can discuss what it's like to be a member of the unit, for interested visitors who wish to join. If you'd like to participate, feel free to contact us, as additional volunteers are always welcome!

Details are provided in the table beneath the photos, which show some of our volunteers in a similar role at our latest event: a Farmer's Market on July 13.

Volunteers helped to set up and staff an education booth at a busy fair on Westford common. They provided blood pressure screening, discussed 72-hour emergency kits (see red backpacks), and provided literature with membership applications to interested visitors, explaining our role in supporting public health initiatives. The afternoon staff (lower right) even provided first aid to a local resident who needed a few minutes to rest!

On the Saturday following those fairs (9/25), our unit is joining forces with local veterinarians at five area practices for the first-ever Statewide Microchip Day. This initiative is to identify pets in case they are lost, through the insertion of a microchip that contains unique numbers linked to a national registry. Three out of four pets that are lost after receiving these chips are returned to their owners! We have an opening for one more volunteer at a Lowell facility from noon to 3 p.m., especially for a non-medical member.

These events raise awareness of the MRC program while providing a community service. If interested, please call the coordinator (Nancy Burns) at 978-399-2549 or send e-mail to nburns@westfordma.gov.

Please revisit this page often for updates. (This page is current as of August 26.) Meanwhile, we thank those of you who continue to serve your community throughout the year!