Due to the generous contributions of sponsors and the interest of our members, we held our third consecutive Training Day at U.Mass Lowell on June 19. These events strengthen our unit's response capabilities, while offering
a day in which to have fun and get better acquainted.

Dr. Ilene Segal reviews the contents of a first aid kit for pets, in a session on sheltering animals in a disaster.		A staff member from U.Mass Lowell stops by the UMV MRC display after ensuring that the A/V materials for each class were running smoothly.

Click these links to review the day's schedule, sponsors, and speaker bio list. Also see a recap of two courses that were developed especially for this event: sheltering for animals, and awareness of toxic chemical emergencies.

Dr. Lisa Gurland of MDPH helps volunteers understand how to apply concepts of behavioral health and psychological first aid in a crisis.

We appreciate the flexibility of our volunteers who accommodated the sudden change in dates for this event. The unexpected move of the national Integrated Summit to June 5 forced us to push Training Day into the prime season for graduation parties, weddings, and summer vacations. Even so, 50 participants were able to juggle their
schedules on short notice and join the festivities.

Members from our unit and other MRCs convened to focus on improving their knowledge in responding to disasters and learning about preparedness.

MRC members work as hard as they play, enjoying a lunchtime break and networking. Sponsors donated raffle prizes, adding to the fun while defraying the cost of the event. Over the noon hour, attendees also learned from two speakers about Haiti response.