As the events of September 11th, Hurricane Katrina and recent international earthquake activity indicate, there is a pressing need to recruit, pre-register and pre-credential health professionals, particularly health care professionals. Formerly known as LA County ESAR-VHP, the LA County Disaster Healthcare Volunteers (DHV) is a collaborative effort lead by the County of Los Angeles Departments of Health Services, Emergency Medical Services Agency and Public Health to eliminate the following problems: identification of medical, health and mental health professionals and other volunteers at disaster sites; validation of practice and license; proper credentialing and training. In addition to the LA County Surge Unit, there are three Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units within our program, including MRC Los Angeles, Beach Cities Health District MRC and Long Beach MRC. Volunteers are given a choice of units when they register. LA County DHV is part of a federally mandated statewide and nationwide effort to recruit and register healthcare volunteers in advance of the next disaster.