CENTER: Sterling Fire Chief David Hurlbut gives a thumbs up at the second drive through clinic held on Feb. 11 at the fire department for emergency service providers. [COURTESY: Erin Cullinane]
BOTTOM: EMT Emily Todorov and Firefighter/Paramedic Jim Emerton hard at work. [CREDIT: Danielle Ray]
By Danielle Ray
When all was said and done 443 Sterling seniors aged 75 and over received their COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine at two, two-day drive through clinics held in town last month that went smoothly due to a large-scale collaborative effort.
This herculean effort required the joint forces of the Sterling Fire Department, Police Department, Board of Health, Senior Center, Community Emergency Response Team, the Rutland Board of Health and Fire Department, the Medical Reserve Corps of Massachusetts, and many local volunteers.
“The teamwork and dedication that so many people have in the health of the residents of Sterling is what made these clinics successful,” said Sterling Firefighter and Paramedic Erin Cullinane. “My favorite part of being a part of these clinics was seeing the genuine relief on so many faces – the people receiving the vaccine, and their family members. I saw some tears of joy as we begin to take the steps towards health and our ‘new normal.’
Senior Center Director Veronica Buckley said around 15 volunteers made hundreds of phone calls to register seniors for the by-appointment-only clinics.
“At the beginning of the year, this was our goal: to provide assistance in the form of outreach, education, technology, transportation and more as needed to our Sterling senior population in obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine,” Buckley said. “We were fortunate to be able to offer the drive through clinics right here in Sterling for our 75-plus population. Now we are continuing to assist the next group, the 65-plus population, register for vaccinations. That may involve assistance with transportation and home visits in addition to the registration process.”
The well-orchestrated clinics were held at the Sterling Senior Center with a waiting area in the Chocksett Middle School parking lot for participants to be monitored in case of side effects. Town resident Jane Mazzaferro brought her husband Joe to get vaccinated.
“We can’t even begin to thank all who were involved in making this possible,” Jane Mazzaferro wrote on social media. “It was so beautifully done from start to finish.”
Longtime town resident and CERT member Ron Furmaniuk lent a hand at the clinics.
“I helped at the COVID clinic because the need is so great to get shots in arms, and anything I can do as a small fish in a medium size pond, I will,” he said. “Having gone through COVID with my family, it was my little effort to help people avoid that. As a member of CERT, this is what they call us for – to help our town in things like Sterling Fair traffic control, making sandbags during flooding, or helping with the vaccine clinic where I helped ask the CDC screening questions. To see the smiles and thank yous of the people was heartwarming. All kudos should go to Chief Hurlbut, Jim Emerton and the SFD for planning and executing a flawless clinic.”
Buckley said all of Sterling should be “so proud” of the collaborative effort that took place between town departments and organization, and the volunteers.
“[Fire] Chief David Hurlbut was a strong leader and always available,” she said. “Each group went above and beyond to fulfill their responsibilities for the team, and it showed in the end result. Our seniors have been so grateful; we hosted the happiest vaccination clinic.”
In addition to the public clinics, around 50 emergency service providers including fire and police personnel, paramedics, and dispatchers were given the first and second dose of the Moderna vaccine during two drive through clinics at the Sterling Fire Department in January.
“The Sterling Fire Department has always been dedicated to the health and safety of the residents of Sterling,” Cullinane said. “We miss seeing everyone at events around town, and this is hopefully a big step towards being together for the Sterling Fair, parades, and the Fire Department BBQ again.”
Sterling is now part of a 12-town vaccine collaborative taking place in Rutland after the state of Massachusetts changed the way it will distribute vaccines to towns. If you quality for the current vaccine phase – you are a senior age 65 and older or have two or more qualifying medical conditions – and would like to receive the latest information regarding vaccines available in the area or require assistance getting a vaccine appointment, call the Sterling Senior Center at 978-422-3032 or email vbuckley@sterling-ma.gov. To update your email with the Sterling Senior Center email sterlingma.senior@gmail.com.
“We will do our best to assist you,” Buckley said.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Rutland and beyond and the phases as they are rolled out visit rrecc.us/vaccine, vaxfinder.mass.gov, and mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine.