What training will I receive?

All MRC volunteers must complete a general orientation to the program and certain other required training. In addition, elective training is available as needed and desired, including a lending library. (See list below.)

Disaster-related trainings and exercises are offered throughout the year in a variety of media: online, satellite, classroom, hands-on and Just-In-Time.

Is Continuing Education Credit offered for medical professionals?

Continuing Education Credit is offered for some programs, some disciplines and varies from sponsor to sponsor. Topics required for RN license renewal are provided at the Health Department and the continuing education credit sponsored by University of South Florida Area Health Education Center. The online MRC Core Competencies class provides 1.5 continuing education credits from NOVA University for many different medical disciplines. Centers for Disease Control and University of Miami disaster response programs usually also offer credit. The online Incident Command classes also offer CEUs / CMEs through Florida Keys AHEC.

Required Training (You may take up to 3 months to complete - see Apply page)

Orientation To Medical Reserve Corps
Incident Command System IS – 100a.
Incident Command System NIMS IS – 700a.
Medical Reserve Corps Core Competencies

Elective Training (As needed & desired)

Basic Life Support (BLS) Level C (4 hr.)
American Red Cross First Aid (3 hr.)
Psychological First Aid (4 hr.)
Oxygen for Special Needs Shelters (1/2 hr.)
Body Mechanics (1 hr.)
American Red Cross Advanced Shelter Operations Workshop (7 hr.)
American Red Cross Disaster Health Response (7 hr.)
Medical Surge Capacity & Rapid Triage In Disaster Response (2 hr.)
Radiation Event Response (3 hr.)
Medical Errors (2 hr.)
Domestic Violence (2 hr.)
Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) (21 hr.)
Mass Prophylaxis Drive-Through Exercise (5 hr.)

Lending Library

Critical Incident Stress Mgmt. & Public Health Emergency Readiness & Response (DVD)
Assuring Cultural Competence in Disaster Response (DVD)
Understanding Compassion Fatigue (DVD)
Project Xtreme: Basic Respiratory Care & Ventilator Mgmt. in PH Emergencies (DVD)
Mass Antibiotic Dispensing: Streamlining POD Design & Operations (DVD)
Mass Antibiotic Dispensing: Alternate Methods (DVD)
The Decontamination of Children (DVD)
Bioterrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies (Book)
Community-Based Mass Prophylaxis: A Planning Guide for PH Preparedness (Book)
Surge, Sort, Support: Disaster Behavioral Health for Health Care Professionals (Book)
Altered Standards of Care in Mass Casualty Events (Book)

Additional Links

National Medical Reserve Corps training website

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association)

Medscape - CMEs for nurses and other medical information

State of Florida MRC site