One of the primary benefits of membership in the Upper Merrimack Valley MRC is easy access to training and skills development. Even without deployment, members can be proud of keeping their abilities sharp, current, and ready to use!

The most convenient way for most members to keep up to date is through online courses, which we post on the home page under 'Latest News' periodically, and reference in orientation materials.

The unit has made both self-paced and classroom training opportunities available every year since its inception in 2004, and will continue to do so. Members are notified whenever classes are offered
-- through printed mailings and newsletters, and by postings on the web site.

MRC Training Curriculum

New members are strongly encouraged to take an orientation class as soon as possible. (Information Sessions count as an orientation.)

Initially the unit's “core curriculum” was comprised of a four-module series of classes available through the American Red Cross. We have since developed courses that are more specific to the MRC, and we invite members to take additional training that is provided by our affiliates and by other MRC units.

MRC CLASSROOM COURSES

Training provided by the UMV MRC over the years has included these topics, many of which we expect to offer again, as warranted by member needs and interest.

American Heart Association classes:
Heartsaver CPR/AED
First Aid
CPR/AED for HealthCare Professionals

Training Day topics:
Behavioral Health I and II (MDPH certified course)
Sheltering Animals in a Disaster
Toxic Chemical Emergencies
Intro to the Incident Command System (ICS-100)
Intro to the National Incident Management System (NIMS-700)
Hands-on Nursing Skills
Emergency Dispensing Sites and Prophylaxis

General interest:
72-hour kits/disaster preparedness education
START and JUMPSTART Triage
Bloodborne Pathogens
Critical Incident Stress Management
Emergency Dispensing Sites (PODS)

Ways to register for UMV MRV classes:

• Send e-mail: (nburns@westfordma.gov),
• sign up on the web site
• or call Nancy Burns at 978-399-2549 (office).

TRAINING WITH RESPONSE PARTNERS

Skill development can also take place by drilling with our response partners and inviting other agencies to provide instruction. Opportunities provided by our unit have included:

Mass-Casualty Incidents Drills (simulated chemical exposure)
MATE Disaster Drill (simulated terrorist exposure to anthrax)
Smallpox Training (by MDPH speaker)
Influenza and the Novel H1N1 Virus

AMERICAN RED CROSS TRAINING

Members of the MRC are among those who qualify to take ARC disaster classes, and can apply this knowledge during an actual emergency. Volunteers with a medical background who complete all four modules of the course are certified to staff a Red Cross emergency shelter anywhere in the U.S. (Non-medical volunteers are advised to take Shelter Operations and Shelter Simulation instead of the two Disaster Health Services classes.) These courses have undergone changes in recent years.

ADDITIONAL CLASSES

Members are encouraged to sign up for supplemental classes, to increase their knowledge of disaster. Recent offerings:

MA Dept. of Public Health Courses (schedule varies):

Mass Dispensing Training
Smallpox Training
Psychological First Aid

Recommended courses, available from the web site:TBD

COURSES THROUGH AFFILIATES

When we hear of courses being offered through affiliates that may be of interest to our members, we are happy to pass along the information. However, be aware that the MRC is not responsible for courses offered by other groups. Please contact the affiliates directly for details.