Pandemic events such as influenza pose a threat not only to the community health, but to the internal operations of emergency response groups. The problem is that there has been no evaluation as to the operational readiness of Clay County Fire/Rescue's (CCFR) personnel to carry out the emergency operations plan as it pertains to pandemic events. This could result in an inability of CCFR to provide the crucial functions of their service to the community and to protect the department personnel themselves. The purpose of this research was intended to develop both CCFR's level of preparedness in handling a pandemic event and their capability to actually carry out any currently established plan. This research was also intended to provide a component of continued review and revision.Descriptive research was used to answer four research questions: What health agency recommendations on first responder preparedness were considered when establishing the EOP? What are the assumptions made by the current EOP on the ability of both the managers and the responders to make decisions and anticipate results at their given levels? In the face of a pandemic event, what consideration has been given to responder's willingness to carry out the EOP? Beyond the creation of an EOP, what training or research have other agencies carried out to evaluate their department's ability to execute their plan? Research revealed that even departments claiming to have an EOP on pandemic events generally have only a cursory plan at best. These plans were part of broad governmental directives and fell short of meeting operational needs.Recommendations were made for CCFR to produce a comprehensive plan to include a continuity of operations component as well as education, training of all employees, exercise, review and revision.