AMESBURY - Each month they meet, discussing topics from smallpox vaccinations to the potential of a bird flu pandemic. The group varies in background and age, but they all have one goal in mind: to be prepared if disaster strikes and to be ready to offer their skills to any emergency.

The Amesbury Medical Reserve Corps is an 80-member, all-volunteer group of health professionals from doctors, nurses, dentists, veterinarians and mental health workers. It was formed one year ago by Amesbury's Public Health Nurse Terry Arsenault and is a chapter of the nationwide program, created by President Bush in 2002. The federal program is run by the Surgeon General's Office.Read this article in full with a
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