West Springfield MRC

October 14, 2015

Dear MRC volunteers and community partners,

It took me a while to realize this page needed to be updated.  With the help of Corrine McKeown, i have figured it out.  

So, let me start by saying thank you to Kathleen Conley for her years of service to the Hampden County MRC and the West Springfield MRC.  Kathleen has moved to the left coast where she has taken a position as an Emergency Management professional with San Joaquin County.  Recent communications with here reveal that she is blossoming out there professionally and personally.

Since Kathleen’s departure, the West Springfield MRC has been struggling a bit to recruit, train and retain volunteers.  Perhaps the spate of “good” weather has had something to do with that as well.  We are working with other MRC units in Hampden County to schedule an MRC Train-a-thon for November 2015.  Check the event calendar for details.

If you are looking for a place to volunteer, consider your local MRC.   Here is a list of some of the activities the West Springfield MRC has participated in since 2007:  Seasonal Flu Clinics; H1N1 Response activities (education and vaccination clinic); Education and Outreach at The Big E; Tornado, flood and snow storm shelter operations; Pet Preparedness Parade; Train Derailment evacuation and shelter operation; Community Organizations Active in Disasters; and Table and Vine Grape Chase 5K Run.

These efforts are possible due to the partnerships with town departments and private businesses.  The Council on Aging, Park and Recreation, Emergency Management, Police, Fire, Schools, Library and Department of Public Works are essential our activities.  Thank you to the management and staff of each department!  The Rotary Club, Eastern States Exposition, American Red Cross and Table and Vine have partnered with us on various activities.  Thank you to these organizations as well.

We plan to continue to seek funding, recruit and train volunteers and conduct emergency preparedness education/activities in the future.

Follow the West Springfield Health Department on Twitter for more public health and emergency preparedness information.  Our Twitter handle is @WspfdHealthDept.

If you want to join the West Springfield MRC, please visit www.maresponds.org to sign up.

Thanks again for stopping by.

 Sincerely,

Jeanne

Jeanne Galloway, Director of Public Health                             

West Springfield Health Department


The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is looking for assistance.  If you have the time and the willingness to help others after a disaster, click here to view their recruitment flyer.


 

 Click here to access photos from the Flu Clinic 11.07.2012

Randy Houseman with the West Springfield MRC and Elms College Nursing program provided information to community members about emergency preparedness at local grocery market.  Great community partnerships educating us all.

West Springfield MRC volunteer Lida Powell staffs Medical Reserve Corps emergency preparedness booth at the Big E.   

West Springfield Rotary Club hosts presentation on 9/11, “Community Emergency Preparedness”

West Springfield Rotary Club hosts MRC presentation on 9/11

 

 

Volunteers are awesome!