by Bill Tobin 1/23/09
HERC is the HOLLISTON EMERGENCY RESPONSE CORPS., which is a member of the Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps. (MRC), or the Holliston equivalent. HERC is made up of volunteers of all backgrounds who have been trained to respond to emergencies in the community.
HERC is organized and trained as a team to assist residents in the event of an emergency such as a severe winter ice storm (as some of our neighboring towns experienced in December), a hurricane, flood, or other natural disaster.
Three flu clinics were organized and staffed by HERC volunteers,. Over 500 flu shots were administered at the Senior Center, Mission Springs and Jordan Hall in November and December 2008.
HERC committee members have recruited about 90 volunteers at town meetings, elections and Celebrate Holliston. These recruits are now in various stages of processing for Level 1 membership.
Some members of HERC have medical backgrounds which of course are needed, but there is a need also for help in administration, transportation, pet care and the list goes on.
On December 12, 2008, Holliston and immediate towns were inundated with unrelenting rain and local flooding of roads and basements. Not too far north and west of Holliston, the rain storm became an extremely powerful ice storm. Trees coated with ice could not withstand the weight and collapsed onto homes and roadways. This caused massive power outages and blocked roads and highways. It was bitterly cold and homes and businesses were without heat due to the utility outages.
Shelters were established in Worcester and Fitchburg, as well as other communities. A request for help went out to all MRC units for assistance. Region 4A requested help and HERC responded with fourteen members volunteering who were deployed to shelters in Worcester and Fitchburg. In all, 200 volunteers from Region 4A, (Holliston is in this region) covered shifts at these shelters for eleven days.
This ice storm disaster was close, very close to Holliston. We were spared this time, but tomorrow, next week, next year, we may not be so fortunate. It could be hurricane, ice, snow, or flood, but the team members of HERC will be ready to assist.
Interested in joining the team? To learn more, or to sign on, go to www.hollistonerc.org or call the health office in Town Hall at 508.429.0605