Training

We want to provide an environment that makes volunteering a manageable experience for our volunteers. To achieve this goal and to ensure the county is prepared in the event of a large-scale public health emergency, we utilize a tiered system of volunteering. 

This is based on your experience, volunteer history, the core competencies and trainings taken, and any exercises you may have attended. All new volunteers are placed at a level 4 during the onboarding process. General support group volunteers (medical and non-medical) are only required to meet the standards up to level 3 to participate in most of our volunteer opportunities. There may be some specialized trainings for some response team roles. 

All current trainings can be found in MRC TRAIN. Follow the instructions for completing your MRC TRAIN profile on the Volunteer Resources page. Once you are within the Snohomish County MRC affiliate group, you can search for the Snohomish County MRC 2026 Training Plan.

Basic trainings to be completed by all MRC volunteers:

  • SCHD MRC Unit Orientation
  • FEMA IS-100.C Introduction to Incident Command Systems
  • FEMA IS-700.B Introduction to National Incident Management System (NIMS)
  • Washington State L&I Bloodborne Pathogens training
  • SCHD HIPAA for MRC
  • Cultural Awareness: Introduction to Cultural Competency and Humility

Impact Team Trainings

Medical countermeasures (MCM) and Points of distribution (POD)

  • AWR 314W: Medical Countermeasures Awareness
  • SCHD General Point of Distribution
  • You Call the Shots Module 18

Shelter Operations

  • IS-406: Operating a Shelter
  • De-Escalation or Psychological First Aid

Call Center

  • SCHD Call Center (in development)
  • SCHD Department Orientation
  • De-Escalation or Psychological First Aid

Risk Communications and Targeted Outreach

  • SCHD Department Orientation
  • Disaster Health Core Curriculum Competency 4: Communication
  • Health Literacy and Public Health: Introduction and Overview

Level 4

Volunteers who are assigned to level 4:

  • Are onboarding or inactive.
  • Have no formal training but are working on the basic trainings.
  • Have completed the registration packet and background check.

Level 4 Trainings:

  • None completed. Working on basic trainings above.
  • Attend at least one meeting or participate in one activity per year.

Level 3

Volunteers who are assigned to level 3:

  • Have completed basic training.
  • This volunteer level doesn’t have any specific volunteer responsibility.

Level 3 Trainings:

  • Basic trainings above.
  • Attend at least one meeting or participate in one activity per year.
  • May take additional suggested training.

Level 2

Volunteers assigned to level 2: 

  • Have completed basic training, and are a member of an Impact Team.
  • May have specific assigned roles.
  • Volunteers have participated in unit activities and non-emergency events as part of their Impact Team.

Level 2 Trainings:

  • Meet Level 3 requirements.
  • Annual refreshers
  • Completed training requirements for one or more Impact Team.

Level 1

Volunteers assigned to level 1:

  • Are eligible for a higher-level supervisory leadership position with specific roles assigned. 
  • Volunteers have demonstrated experience in non-emergency activations or emergency deployments.

Level 1 Trainings:

  • Meet Level 2 requirements.
  • Annual refreshers
  • Recommended courses for leadership (see MRC TRAIN Training Plan)