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 Home > MRC Spotlights > Unit Spotlight - Summer 2008
When was the unit founded? The Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps was founded in March 2006. What is the focus of the unit? The focus of the Massachusetts Region 4A MRC is to provide trained volunteers to respond to public health and other emergencies in the community. How many volunteers does the unit have? The Massachusetts Region 4A MRC has approximately 3,300 MRC volunteers. About two thirds are medical volunteers. How large is the unit's staff? The unit's staff consists of the one MRC Coordinator, one MRC Director, two Deputy Coordinators, two Trainers, and two Administrative personnel. Why was the unit selected? The Massachusetts Region 4A MRC includes 34 cities and towns just outside of the greater Boston area. The MRC has good working relationships with Boston EMS, Greater Boston MMRS, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and all of their local communities' governments. MRC Regional Technical Assistance Coordinator, Jennifer Frenette, stated "It is a real joy to have such a dynamic group and leaders in Region I!" What are some of the unit's activities? In April 2008, the Massachusetts Region 4A MRC participated in the Boston Marathon, organizing 16 medical sweep teams with 169 doctors and nurses that covered 13 blocks surrounding the finish line. The teams worked in small groups assisting runners that completed the race. The Boston Athletic Association was impressed with the professionalism and support provided by MRC volunteers. As a result, the Boston Athletic Association has donated $8,000 to support the MRC unit. In addition, other large companies that sponsored the Boston Marathon have also reached out to support the MRC. The Massachusetts Region 4A MRC has been invited to participate in next year's Boston Marathon with the possibility of expanding their scope of support next year. In July 2008, the Massachusetts Region 4A MRC supported the Boston Fourth of July Celebration. The unit conducted medical crowd scanning for the celebration on the Charles River. The Massachusetts Region 4A MRC also has many upcoming events planned. The MRC plans to provide support to the PANMASS Challenge, the Jimmy Fund Walk, and Walk for Life events. A listing of trainings available to MRC volunteers are posted to the Massachusetts Region 4A MRC Web site at www.region4a-mrc.org. The MRC offers 100 trainings and volunteers have logged about 5,500 training hours in the past year. The unit offers about 19 different trainings that include such categories as weapons of mass destruction, incident command structure, basic first aid, and animal handling. The Massachusetts Region 4A MRC is also involved in trainings with local fire departments, police departments, and hospitals. What are some of the unit's achievements? The Massachusetts Region 4A MRC receives a great deal of support from the community. The MRC receives funding support from the Department of Public Health and MMSR. It has been challenging getting 34 different communities to collaborate on a regional level. However, the Massachusetts Region 4A MRC is structured so that the local community branches can retain ownership of the MRC in their community, as well as have communities collaborate on a regional level. The unit often holds exercises and events that may combine four or five different communities. The Massachusetts Region 4A MRC holds MRC Idea Sharing events to allow representatives from the community level to serve on an executive committee, which allows units to share resources and ideas. The tiered structure also allows for local MRC units within the region to use community ties to promote and recruit for the MRC. Interesting facts about the unit! The Massachusetts Region 4A MRC is currently applying for 501c3 status (non-profit) to ensure the sustainability of the MRC for the local and regional level. The Massachusetts Region 4A MRC is currently collaborating with the National Interpreter Society to promote the MRC to its members. Last Updated on 1/28/2010 |
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