Reserve Stands Ready to Serve

What would you do if an emergency struck? Where would you go? How would you get help?

Luckily, if you're here in Grafton, you'd have a dedicated, skilled team to rely on: The Grafton Medical Reserve Corps.

In action since September 2006, the group of about 70 volunteers who live or work in town are at the ready in the event of widespread public health outbreaks, medical emergencies, natural disasters, or other significant events impacting the population.

Simply put, “we serve Grafton,” said Lois Luniewicz, the town's health agent and reserve corps director.

The group was initially devised out of a significant need: The National Medical Reserve Corps was established after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to foster volunteerism and service across the country. The now-deceased, longtime nurse and board of health member Dorothea Frederico pursued a local chapter because of the small size and limited staff of the town health department.

“In the event of a major emergency, there would not be enough people to go around,” noted Luniewicz.

Now, though, there are: Grafton's corps includes dozens of volunteers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, research scientists, security workers and Red Cross staffers.

The group has also signed what's known as a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the Worcester Regional Medical Reserve Corps, which serves 74  communities, from the New Hampshire border to the Connecticut state line. This agreement allows Grafton corps members to volunteer to help with disasters elsewhere in central Massachusetts.

Barring such emergencies, though, the group's goals are to prepare and prevent. Corps units across the country are not only trained and ready to respond to emergencies, they also provide education, outreach and various other non-emergency health services.

Grafton's corps volunteers take part in general health awareness events, including an annual flu immunization clinic and H1N1 vaccinations, as well as emergency planning in the way of various drills. On the lighter side, members participated in the town's 275^th parade in October, providing assistance at two first-aid stations along the route.

And, as a means to organize its current volunteers and eventually recruit more, the organization has signed on to participate in a statewide volunteer database developed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

“That will give us more flexibility in terms of managing our volunteers,” Luniewicz said, “as well as deploying our volunteers as needed.”

Typically, the corps seeks out practicing or retired medical professionals, as well as public health workers. 

Still, not every volunteer has to be medically skilled or inclined. As Luniewicz explained, as long as someone has an interest in serving, they are welcome. Generally, volunteers without medical training are given administrative and support tasks.

“When you have any type of an event, you need all types of individuals,” said Luniewicz.

The group isn't currently looking for new volunteers (its focus is on getting established members set up through the state database),  but recruitment campaigns are planned for the future.

And why should people consider volunteering? 

“Just to protect our town is a good reason to become involved,” said Luniewicz.

Interested? Visit www.medicalreservecorps.gov, or call Luniewicz at (508) 839-5335, ext 128. You can also visit www.graftonmrc.org to find out more about Grafton's Medical Reserve Corps.