Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr., was joined by officials from surrounding towns and from several community organizations on October 11, 2006, to announce the formation of the Greater Fall River Medical Reserve Corps (GFRMRC). The GFRMRC will recruit volunteers from the City of Fall River and the towns of Somerset, Swansea and Westport to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Volunteers will donate their time and expertise to promote healthy living throughout the year. Mayor Lambert encouraged qualified volunteers to step forward. "This effort is in the spirit of volunteerism that is characteristic of Fall River," noted Lambert. Fall River's Director of Health and Human Services, Michael Coughlin, will serve as the Director of the GFRMRC. Said Coughlin, "For several years we have been promoting Fall River as a healthy city. Today, we are further declaring that a healthy city is a prepared city. The GFRMRC will coordinate the skills of practicing and retired physicians, nurses and other health professionals, as well as other citizens interested in health issues, who want to volunteer to address their community's ongoing public health needs, to help their community during large-scale emergency situations, and to receive some valuable training and experience while they serve." The national Medical Reserve Corps has organized communities across the country and Fall River will join New Bedford and Attleboro in similar efforts. For further information, call 508-324-2520.
 

(Top row, left) Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr., talks about the importance of the GFRMRC in enabling Fall River and the surrounding communities to respond to large-scale situations. (Top row, right) St. Anne's Hospital CEO Michael Metzler and Dr. Eugene McMahon, Medical Director of Southcoast Hospitals, describe their commitment to the project. (Middle row, left) Fall River's Director of Health and Human Services, Michael Coughlin, describes how the Greater Fall River Medical Reserve Corps will function. (Middle row, right) Christine Wordell of the Somerset Health Department underscores her commitment to the project. (Bottom row, left) Mr. Coughlin introduces Public Health Nurses Linda Saravo, Linda Francoeur, Margaret Canulla, and School Nurse Karen Long as member of the team. (Bottom row, center) Emergency Management Director Richard Aguiar, Fall River Fire Department Lt. Richard Emond, and Ms. Wordell listen as Mr. Coughlin talks about the work that the committee has done over the past several months. (Bottom row, right) Family Service Association CEO Carol Nagle talks about the importance of behavioral health in responding to emergency situation.