The unit was productive throughout the spring of 2006 with activities at local, state, regional, and national levels. See also the story on the unit's flood deployment in May.

Statewide – When the Mass Health Officers Association held its first legislative breakfast at the statehouse in Boston, UMV MRC staff was on hand to network with legislators and members of MHOA, and to assist with the statewide MRC exhibit table.

	The director and coordinator participated in the quarterly MRC meeting in Westboro and bi-monthly conference calls, to keep up with our counterparts across the state.
Sharon Walker-Mastenbrook, director of public health for Burlington MA, represents MHOA from the podium in the Great Hall.		Legislators, aides, and board of health reps are briefed on preparedness.

National – The staff attended the annual MRC conference in Dallas April 4/17 to 22.

MRC staff members from New England joined Surgeon General Richard Carmona (center, back), Captain Mike Milner and Cdr. Rob Tosatto (back right, in uniform) for a photo.

The coordinator wrapped up her involvement in the national Mass Casualty Incident task force, and provided a recap on the MA state web site: http://www.mamedicalreservecorps.org/casualty.php .

Steve Ridini and Susan Downey, from The Medical Foundation in Boston, facilitated the Summit with Jennifer Frenette, MRC Coordinator for Region I.

Regional – The Medical Foundation and the regional coordinator facilitated a Region I Summit in Framingham, MA, on June 20 and 21. The event was attended by MRC reps from across New England, including the UMV MRC.

Local – The unit boosted its ranks to 350. The UMV MRC Advisory Council met twice, for a debriefing of the flood response and to discuss upcoming events. Dozens of members attended another offering of the Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment (START) class.

There was a strong showing of the MRC at the Tyngsboro Health Fair at the end of April.

Elizabeth Mattson arrives to serve at the health fair.			Himanshu Jayswal, Diane Cerretti, Kathryn York, and Elizabeth Mattson staff the display table.
Diane Cerretti takes a blood pressure for a visitor to the MRC booth.			Jackie Eschle records vital signs in the Lion's vision screening van.

Ben Podsiadlo, paramedic and director of Greater Lowell EMS, describes the symptoms of cyanide exposure to volunteers from the UMV MRC.

Members learn about decon procedures from a Saints RN dressed in hazmat gear.

Sue Juhola, clad in Level C protection, awaits victims at the decon tent.

The staff gave presentations to the Police Amateur Radio Team in Westford, and to the Dracut Rotary. The Rotary invitation resulted from an Internet posting on the Dracut Forum, which drew a reporter from a local paper to cover the Dracut information session 3/9, piquing the interest of the Rotary.

To close out the season, almost a dozen members supported the unit's first corporate health fair. The event took place at G.E. Sensing in Billerica . This was the first time many of the attendees had heard of the Medical Reserve Corps. Members offered a public service by sharing information about family preparedness, as well as an overview of the MRC, and also took blood pressures. They had fun getting better acquainted with their fellow members and visiting the other exhibits. Heidi Mover, RN, enjoyed the event so much that she exclaimed as she was leaving, “It feels like I got way more out of this than I put into it!”

A colorful poster invites about 600 G.E. employees to attend the fair.

Members prepare to take blood pressures, distribute literature, and answer questions about public health and safety at the UMV MRC display.		Dr. Paul Royte (center) and Sharlene Locker greet a visitor at the registration desk.