The Allen County Medical Reserve Corps, part of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, has been developed to assist Allen County residents in times of need including public health and natural disasters. In a local disaster, volunteers could be called upon to provide additional staffing, including assisting mass prophylaxis/vaccination clinics, staffing and operation of POD's in line with the pandemic flu preparedness planning for Allen County and other major public health needs. The Allen County MRC has also participated in a number of public health outreach and educational programs. Allen County MRC is partnered with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Office of Homeland Security and its Community Emergency Response Team Program with both programs sharing one coordinator. Allen County MRC works closely with other County resources such as the Red Cross, Volunteer Center at RSVP, and local first responders to develop a coordinated response to a disaster. The Allen County MRC is governed by an Advisory Council composed of representatives from the Allen County Department of Health, Fort Wayne-Allen County Office of Homeland Security, local colleges and universities and other emergency response organizations. Allen County is recruiting members for its MRC by making presentations and/or delivering brochures to its municipal libraries, neighborhood partnership meetings, meetings of professional organizations, mailings, health fairs, and other community gatherings. Allen County MRC has a core of about 155 volunteers and has developed a basic curriculum based on the suggested MRC core competencies. The Allen County MRC volunteers are included in exercises being planned by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health and the Office of Homeland Security. We encourage all prospective volunteers to contact the Allen County MRC Coordinator for further information or assistance.