Volunteer Development and Readiness | Volunteer Training | Volunteer Levels
Volunteer Deployment Readiness and Resilience
MRC volunteers provide emergency response support as well as ongoing daily public health support to their local communities. It is important for volunteers to be ready to support both emergency and non-emergency response roles. Volunteers should ensure they meet the training and administrative requirements and understand their role and expectations prior to all deployments.
To manage your deployments and update your Volunteer profile, visit the Virginia Volunteer Health System (VVHS).
Volunteer Training
It’s our goal for you to be trained and ready when you’re needed.
Statewide MRC trainings are offered regularly and feature recognized subject matter experts on a variety of topics pertinent to our work. Some training sessions are offered in-person, but many training sessions can be completed online. We encourage you to review the online trainings offered through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (FEMA National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU) and TRAIN Virginia (www.train.org/virginia) to register for the courses that interest you the most.
Training topics include (but are not limited to):
- Emergency management systems
- Mental health preparedness
- Bioterrorism response
- Disease investigation
- First aid and CPR
To learn more about signing up for trainings and what to expect, visit VDH’s MRC Volunteer Training website.
MRC volunteers have specific levels to which they are assigned. Their level assignments are based on their experience and training with the MRC. A more advanced level volunteer will have higher leadership roles within the MRC. Furthermore, during an emergency, it is possible that only advanced level volunteers would be alerted for assistance. All levels are assigned in VVHS as follows:
- Level 5 ER
- Volunteer is fully deployable but has requested to be alerted for EMERGENCIES ONLY. Volunteer will not receive routine messages for training and non-emergency deployment opportunities.
- Level 4
- Volunteer is registered in the unit but has no formal training and is inactive. Volunteer can receive alert messages specific to level 4 volunteers.
- Level 3
- Volunteer has cleared a background check, completed, orientation, and completed minimal training, but has no specific volunteer responsibility
- Level 2
- Volunteer holds mid-leadership position in the unit. Has assigned role and has met MRC core competency requirements, including IS100, IS700, personal preparedness, and disaster behavior health.
- Level 1
- Volunteer is in a high leadership position with specific leadership roles assigned. higher level training requirements include IS200, IS800, and participation in exercise and leadership positions. Must also complete a FD-258 fingerprint background investigation.