Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 3, 2006

Collin County Department of Homeland Security and City of Wylie to host Medical Reserve Corps Training

(Wylie, TX) – The Collin County Department of Homeland Security and the City of Wylie will host a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Orientation and Point of Dispensing Site (POD) drill for MRC volunteers on Saturday, November 11, 2006. The training event will take place at McMillan Junior High School in Wylie. This is for current and potential medical and non-medical volunteers.

The response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was further proof that volunteers are vital to an effective emergency response plan. Registration, credentialing and training before a disaster are keys to improving a locality’s response. With this in mind, Collin County Homeland Security has formed the Collin County Medical Reserve Corps. Residents who are interested in volunteering with this public health emergency response group can register online by following these steps:

Go to www.MetroplexVolunteers.com
Select Collin County
Select Register to Volunteer*
Enter your contact information, availability, skills, etc.

* Note: If using a pop-up blocker, it will be necessary to temporarily disable the program. After registration, volunteers will receive email updates regarding training opportunities available before a disaster as well as information concerning the volunteer needs during a response.

“I believe that the Medical Reserve Corps is an excellent Community Risk Reduction Program” says Wylie Fire Marshal Steve Seddig. “I appreciate the fact that Wylie has been chosen by Collin County Department of Homeland Security to host this training and look forward to supporting the program in the future.”

For more information about becoming a Collin County Medical Reserve Corps volunteer or participating in the November 11th training event, please contact Kevin Madsen, Collin County CRI Coordinator, at kmadsen@collincountytx.gov or 972-548-5539. You can also find out more about the Medical Reserve Corps at www.collincountytx.gov/homeland_security/citizen/mrc.jsp.

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