In 2012, the national Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) will celebrate its10-year anniversary by creating commercials and news segments to be shown throughout the United States. In addition, a segment will be produced for broadcast on The Business Journal with Joan Lunden. This production will focus on MRC volunteers in action and how the community benefits. Out of 968 MRC units throughout the United States, the Greater Fall River Medical Reserve Corps was selected for filming and recording of a December 7th flu clinic held at Government Center. The event was sponsored by the Fall River Department of Health and Human Services and doubled as a practice run for the MRC to respond to any one of a number of potential medical emergencies that might call them into action. Speakers at the event included Captain Rob Tosatto, Director, Office of Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps/Department of Health & Human Services/Office of the Surgeon General, Tom Lawrence of the Rhode Island MRC, and Richard Aguiar, Director of the Fall River Emergency Management Department. For more information, contact Alvin McMahon, coordinator of the Greater Fall River Medical Reserve Corps at 401-864-1597. (Photos courtesy of Vivian Civiero)

(Top row, center) Alvin McMahon, coordinator of the Greater Fall River Medical Reserve Corps, welcomes the guests and describes the work of the MRC. (Top row, right) Bristol County MRC Coordinator Dennis Swift, Alvin McMahon, Captain Tosatto, MRC Region I Regional Coordinator Jennifer Frenette, and Tom Lawrence of the Rhode Island MRC pose for a photo. (Middle row, center) Mayor Willilam Flanagan praises the work of the MRC. (Middle row, right) Greater Fall River Medical Reserve Corps volunteers pose for a photo. (Bottom row, center) Bristol County MRC Coordinator Dennis Swift talks about the importance of the work of the MRC. (Bottom row, right) Each of the speakers pose for a group photo at the end of the event.