Well trained volunteers improve their
community's health and save lives.
All MRC volunteer training is free and available in-classroom, online, video conference, and web conference delivery methods. Some trainings provided continuing education credits.
MRC Orientation and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are required for ALL volunteers, but additional training requirements may vary by unit. Training topics include emergency management systems, mental 
health preparedness, bioterrorism response, disease investigation, first aid and CPR. There are advanced training requirements to serve as mass fatality response, epidemiology investigation, community health worker and vaccination team members. Statewide MRC trainings are offered via web or video conference, featuring recognized subject matter experts on a variety of topics pertinent to the MRC.
It’s our goal for you to be trained and ready when you’re needed.
Contact your local coordinator to learn more about specific training requirements and opportunities in your area.
As a Virginia MRC volunteer, there are many online training opportunities available to you at any time and can be completed at your own pace. You just need access to the internet. This course catalog and helpful tips will help you get started!
How do I get to TRAIN? Type in your internet browser https://va.train.org
Do you have an account? MRC volunteers who have approved accounts in the Virginia Volunteer Health System either had an existing TRAIN account or one was automatically created for them. There is no need for you to create an account.
Don't know your log in information? You can go to the training section in VVHS and you should see it there. If you haven't logged in before or cannot remember your password, please DO NOT register again. Just click on “Can't Log In” and enter your email address. TRAIN Virginia will send you your log in information.
Need Help? Click on the HELP tab in the main menu to access multiple job aids. If you still have questions, contact your MRC Coordinator or the TRAIN Virginia Administrator at VA_ADMIN@train.org.
Below are a list of recommended online courses available to Virginia Medical Reserve Corps volunteers:
Available Training Information
One of the benefits of being a VA MRC Volunteer is the
opportunity to attend trainings which will advance your
public health education and help you become a better prepared MRC volunteer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering LIVE virtual training sessions with state level subject matter experts. All VA MRC volunteers are welcome to attend any of the sessions below. Don’t miss out on these informative webinars.
To view the upcoming statewide live webinars, click here.
To view the statewide training recordings, see the links here.
Note: Most of the training webinars are posted on the Virginia Public Health Learning Management System called TRAIN. To view tutorials for TRAIN click TRAIN Help Tutorials
If you want to learn more about the roles, responsibilities and become a deployable MRC Volunteer, please attend the new volunteer orientation. After attending the orientation, you will:
- Understand MRC purpose and mission
- Overview of public health and emergency response
- Understand volunteer roles, responsibilities, and protocols
- Understand volunteer & training systems
- Next steps
Don’t want to wait for the next LIVE event, complete your orientation TODAY and become one step closer to a deployable volunteer view the recording for the statewide orientation.
RECORDED Statewide Orientation
Start Training: Watch the RECORDED video now!
Training Duration: 90 minutes
Presentation Slides: To download, CLICK HERE.
Attendance: You are responsible for reporting your attendance, CLICK HERE to get started.
HIPAA Training for MRC Volunteers
TRAIN Course ID: 1124009
Course Description:
Time: 1hr
CEU/CME: None
This training has been approved by VDH Office of Information Management. This training provides the necessary information to protect personal identification information of citizens, that MRC volunteers may engage with during volunteer services. Note: If you have completed Cybersecurity/HIPAA Training for MRC Volunteers TRAIN Course ID# 1111599 you do not need to complete this course. If you have completed a similar course as a yearly requirement as a VDH Employee-VDH Cybersecurity/HIPAA Training (TRAIN Course ID# 1080530), you do not need to complete this course (That required VDH Cybersecurity/HIPAA Training (TRAIN Course ID# 1080530) should be listed on your TRAIN Transcript. If not listed on your training transcript, feel free to upload a copy of your completion of that certificate into your VVHS Profile).
IS 700 Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
TRAIN Course ID: 1078831
Course Description: This course introduces and overviews the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provide a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents. Note: MRC Volunteers must first register for a FEMA SID after launching the course in TRAIN. The FEMA SID will be used to access the Final Exam.
Time: The overall length of the course will vary for each individual. IS 700A takes approximately 3 hours.
CEU/CME: 0.3
IS 100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
TRAIN Course ID: 1078825
Course Description: ICS 100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Note: MRC Volunteers must first register for a FEMA SID after launching the course in TRAIN. The FEMA SID will be used to access the Final Exam.
Time: 3 hours (including final exam)
CEU/CME: 0.3
VDH: 2022 Shelter Fundamentals Training
TRAIN Course ID: 1105099
Course Description: This 90min training provides an overview of sheltering within the Commonwealth. This course will highlight and address the primary roles and responsibilities of shelter support and activation with providing an infection prevention perspective.
Time: 1.5 hour
CEU/CME: None
VDH: 2022 Shelter Training for Nurses
TRAIN Course ID: 1105988
Course Description: The Course will highlight and address the primary roles and responsibilities of public health nurses in a shelter.
Time: 1.5 hour
CEU/CME: None
VDH: Environmental Health in Shelters During COVID-19 Pandemic
TRAIN Course ID: 1093906
Course Description: Discusses the role of an Environmental Health Specialist in an emergency shelter during the COVID-1 pandemic.
Time: 1 hour
CEU/CME: None
VDH: Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Overview for MRC Volunteers-(OnDemand)
TRAIN Course ID: 1110891
Course Description: An informative webinar that will provide a basic overview of different point of dispensing (POD) *operational models that medical reserve corps volunteers may be asked to participate in order to provide medical countermeasures to the public. The course will provide an explanation of the importance of POD models in MCM distribution during a public health emergency.
Time: 1.5 hour
CEU/CME: None
Psychological First Aid
TRAIN Course ID: 1022214
Course Description: This course was designed as an overview for MRC volunteers, hospital personnel, disaster responders, and first-responders, to the concepts and applications of psychological first aid as it applies to assisting survivors and fellow responders impacted by a disaster or emergency event, particularly in the field during a response. Note:Sign up through the Registration Tab. Check your email and confirm your training account (click on link). After completing an account, return to TRAIN and launch the course
Time: 5hrs
CEU/CME: Yes
VDH: "ICS in a Nutshell" (On-Demand)
TRAIN Course ID: 1086358
Course Description: This introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS) provides real public health examples in an interactive and informative. Note: This course is an introduction to ICS concepts applied to public health. To obtain an ICS 100 certificate, attendees must complete the FEMA IS-100 online course.
Time: 1.5 hour
CEU/CME: None
VDH: MRC -Cultivating Resilence(OnDemand)
TRAIN Course ID: ID 1099092
Course Description: Informative webinar that will provide a basic knowledge and understanding of mental health wellness. This training is highly recommended for ANY volunteer.
Time: 1.5 hour
CEU/CME: None
MRC REVIVE Community Training
Course Description: This is an informative webinar that provides a basic definition of opioids and how opioid overdoses happen. This course will provide the necessary steps to respond to an opioid overdose emergency with the administration of naloxone. Note: Viewing this recording can be used for information purposes only. Certification cannot be issued to those viewing the recorded training.
Time: 90 minutes
CEU/CME: None _
Start Training: Watch the CLICK HERE video now!
Presentation Slides: To download, CLICK HERE.
Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. MRC volunteers are vital in promoting health for citizens in the Commonwealth.
Public Health 101
TRAIN Course ID# 1059661
Course Description: This course introduces learners to the mission of public health and key terms in the field.
CEU/CME: None
VDH:Overview of VDH for Medical Reserve Corps
TRAIN Course ID# 1090907
Course Description: Are you new to the Virginia Dept. of Health? Learn more about the MRC in this overview. The Virginia Dept. of Health has over 41 different programs. These programs all contribute to and promote the well-being of all Virginians.
CEU/CME: None
TRAIN Training Plan # 5770
Course Description: This training will provide an overview of OCME, its responsibilities, and needs. The training will also include the requirements that are needed to volunteer to assist OCME staff. *If you are interested in volunteering on the support team please complete the following training plan in TRAIN.
CEU/CME: None
MRC Risk Communication & Outreach Training
Course Description: An informative webinar that provides a basic overview of interpersonal communication, relaying public health messages, and the basics of communication theory.D
Time: 90 minutes
CEU/CME: None
Start Training: Watch the RECORDED video now!
Presentation Slides: To download, CLICK HERE.
Attendance: You are responsible for reporting your attendance, CLICK HERE to get started.
Basics of TRAIN for MRC Volunteers
Course Description: TRAIN is a national learning network that provides thousands of quality training opportunities to more than 2 million professionals who protect and improve the public's health. Learn to access your profile, search for available training, and access your transcripts.
Time: 90 minutes
CEU/CME: None
Start Training: Watch the RECORDED video at TRAIN Course ID# 1105794
Point of Dispensing (POD)
Course Description: PODs are a crucial component of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response. Public Health and Emergency Management agencies, along with our Whole Community Partners, set up PODs to provide the public with life-saving medical countermeasures during public health emergencies.
Time: 90 minutes
CEU/CME: None
Start Training: Watch the RECORDED video at TRAIN Course ID# 1107242
VDH: “Behind the Scenes of an Epi Outbreak: Ebola” (Archived)
TRAIN Course ID: 1062714
Course Description: “Behind the Scenes of an Epi Outbreak: Ebola” is an on-demand videoconference that explains how Virginia responded to the Ebola outbreak. This informative session is great for volunteers who may work in shelters, Point-of-Dispensing (POD) or anyone who just wants to know how Virginia responds to an Epi outbreak.
Time: 2hrs
CEU/CME: None
VDH: An Introduction to Isolation and Quarantine
TRAIN Course ID: 1021694
Course Description: It is important for health department employees to understand how isolation and quarantine could be used to protect the public from the spread of dangerous contagious diseases. This presentation provides a brief overview of isolation and quarantine and outlines the Virginia Department of Health’s strategy for invoking and enforcing Virginia’s isolation and quarantine laws.
Time: 14 minutes
CEU/CME: None
Required: Epi Response Team Members
VDH: Behind the Scenes of an Epi Outbreak: Hepatitis A (OnDemand)
TRAIN Course ID: 1089068
Course Description: An informative webinar that provides a basic overview of the Hepatitis A virus, the vaccination and how to respond to an outbreak.
Time: 2hrs
CEU/CME: None
VDH: Contact Tracer Training Plan TRAIN# 5806
Course Description: The Contact Tracer will identify and contact persons suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19 in order to gather information necessary for public health case investigation and contact tracing
Time: Varies
CEU/CME: None
HHS/ASPR: Addressing the Needs of Older Adults in Disasters
TRAIN Course ID: 1093802
Course Description: This U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) web-based training is designed to improve public health and emergency medical responders’ capability to address the access and functional needs of community-dwelling older adults in disasters.
Time: 60 mins
CEU/CME: None
Considerations for Infants and Toddlers for During Disasters
TRAIN Course ID: 1061392
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to provide guidance for Emergency Managers and implementers of children’s programs about meeting the unique needs that arise among children as a result of a disaster or emergency.
Time: 60 mins
CEU/CME: None
VDH: MRC Cultural Diversity & Competency 101 Training (OnDemand)
Course Description: An informative 1.5 hours training to discuss the differences along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.
Time: 1.5 hrs
CEU/CME: None
VDH "How to Communicate Across Cultural and Language Barriers"
TRAIN Course ID# 1098157
Course Description: Informative webinar that will provide a basic knowledge and understanding of culturally tailored communication to communicate with Spanish speakers and other LEP populations. This training will also provide the most common way to communicate with illiterate and low health literate communities as well individuals with disabilities.
Time: 1.5 hrs
CEU/CME: None
Assisting Individuals with Access and Functional Needs
Course Description: During this informative webinar, terms such as access and functional needs will be defined and discussed on how to plan for individuals in an emergency and how to assist these individuals during outreach events.
Time: 90 minutes
CEU/CME: None
Start Training: Watch the RECORDED video at TRAIN Course ID#1104164 now!
Presentation Slides: To download, CLICK HERE.
Additional Resources:
Safety and Respect for All: Providing a Supportive Environment for LGBT Individuals and Families During a Disaster
Time: 60 minutes
CEU/CME: CHES, CPHCE