Eighty members and instructors participated in our unit's first-ever training day. This event was made possible through the efforts of our diligent volunteers on the UMV MRC Training Committee, and U. Mass Lowell's generous donation of the use of their facility.

The day began early with registration and networking over light refreshments. The same sessions were offered in the morning and again in the afternoon. Attendees selected two classes, each of which provided free continuing information credits:

Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS-100) - Joe Guarnera
Behavioral Issues in Disaster - Dr. Hayden Duggan
START (general) and JUMPSTART (pediatric) Triage - Marianne Bitner
Weapons of Mass Destruction - Peter Laitenen

Dr. Duggan's seminar on behavioral health was one of several classroom offerings. The speakers shared anecdotes from their many years of field experience.

Nurses could opt for a hands-on skills clinic in the morning, led by Dr. Stephanie Chalupka and other instructors. These members were able to practice giving tetanus shots and starting intravenous lines, and learn more about initiatives to combat tuberculosis.

Durng the hands-on nursing skills workshop, members are shown learning IV skills from Dr. Chalupka (left) and TB assessments from nurses Dot Downing and Arlene Sullivan.

Members enjoyed a lunch break and the chance to get better acquainted. Some had purchased 72-hour kits, including materials about Emergency Preparedness, which they were able to pick up after the meal.

Members appreciated the chance to become better acquainted and to share what they were learning over the lunch break.

The event received positive press coverage, including an article by the Westford Eagle.