Eastern Massachusetts Public Health (EMPH) Training Hub is one of nine training hubs throughout the state. We cover 9 Shared Services Arrangements, with 35 municipalities.
The Training Hub program is part of the cornerstone of the Workforce Development initiatives to strengthen the competencies and capacity of the local public health workforce to not only meet the current Workforce Standards, aligned in the Blueprint for Public Health, but to develop leaders in transforming the local public health system. The Training Hub program is part of a 3-tiered model that includes basic self-paced on-line training modules, in-depth knowledge-based competency development in the classroom, and hands on, competency and skills development in applied practice.
These different levels of training act as learning building blocks and help create a comprehensive training infrastructure with the goal of increasing the pool of trained local public health professionals, increasing the capacity for local and regional public health (LPH) meeting the standards.
Staff:
Elsa Zhao, Lead Public Health Trainer, [email protected]
Felix Garcia, Regional Public Health Trainer, [email protected]
Raina Levin, Regional Public Health Training Specialist, [email protected]
For general questions, please email: [email protected]
Map Description: A gray map with the different Eastern Massachusetts Public Health Training Hubs defined by different colors. The following is a link to a detailed description of the content on the map: https://www.mapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Eastern-Massachusetts-Public-Health-Training-Hub-Map-Detail-Description.pdf
Local Public Health Training Program Tiers
This multi-tiered approach underpins our commitment to delivering comprehensive training, expanding the cadre of proficient public health professionals, and strengthening local and regional public health capabilities.
Hub Trainers are currently being trained by DPH Central Trainers in a standard curriculum to prepare them to facilitate Tier 3 to ensure local public health professionals have the competencies for housing, food safety and other environmental health topics. Once this is finalized, local public health inspectors can receive training from Eastern MA Training Hub. We are working closely with Central Trainers and OLRH staff, please be patient as we continue to improve this program.
Tier 1:
Essential Knowledge
- Composed of asynchronous eLearning modules with curriculum relevant to different LPH topics.
- Facilitated through online learning platforms, such as TRAIN MA, ORA LearnED (FDA), and FEMA Emergency Management Institute. Other platforms may be utilized as the program grows.
- Provides LPH professionals the opportunity to develop baseline knowledge on LPH topics on their own time and free of charge.
Tier 2:
Instructor Guided Learning
- Instructor-led component. Experienced instructors lead virtual and in-person classroom trainings about relevant LPH topics.
- Building upon the knowledge gained in Tier 1, Tier 2 gives LPH professionals the opportunity to learn about different public health topics. The knowledge gained in this tier will be applied to real public health scenarios in Tier 3.
- Example of courses: LPHIT Food and Housing, Certified Pool Operator, Soil Evaluator, and System Inspector.
Tier 3:
Applied Practice
- Provides LPH Professionals with hands on learning opportunities using real public health scenarios.
- Facilitated by Local Public Health Training Hubs where trainers will guide learners through applied practice of LPH topics through joint inspections.
Upcoming Trainings
Local Public Health Training Program
If you have completed Tier 2 – Food, please reach out to the training hub ([email protected]) and we’ll start scheduling you for Tier 3. If you have completed Tier 2 – Housing, we will follow up with you by email about Tier 3.
You can use this Prerequisites Tracker to track your progress through the training program.
Upcoming Tier 2 Trainings:
Food
June 2, 3, and 4, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. (virtual)
June 9 and 10, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (in-person: Marlborough, MA)
Housing
May 6, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (in-person: Marlborough, MA)
May 19, 20, and 21, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (virtual)
To qualify for Tier 2, you must be registered for Tier 1 on TRAIN and have completed all Tier 1 coursework by January 31, 2026 (check your status for Food here and Housing here). All qualified participants were contacted by email in February. If there were more qualified participants than seats available, a lottery system was used. Tier 2 trainings will be offered again in the fall.
Other Trainings:
National Public Health Week Events
April 6, 7-8pm (Virtual): AI-pocolypse Preparedness: Navigating Emergencies with Tech
April 8, 7-8 pm (Virtual): Public Health as a Calling: Service, Spirituality and Leadership
April 9, 10am-2pm (In-person): Public Health Museum Open House
April 10, 10-11am (Virtual): Local Public Health Forum
April 11, 11am-12pm (In-person): Public Health Museum Walking Tour ($10)
BAFIT (Body Art Facility Inspector Training) ($$$)
Instructor-Led: April 14 and 16, 12-4 pm (Virtual)
This one-of-a-kind course gives EH professionals the foundational tools to conduct risk-based inspections of tattoo and body piercing facilities.
DPH Annual Spring Seminars – Camps, Pools, and Beaches
April 14, 9am-12:30pm (Virtual)
April 15, 1-4:30pm (Virtual)
This is a refresher series on camps, pools, and bathing beaches. One in-person and two virtual options are available. Each option offers the same program.
Neighborhood Renewal: From Property Blight to Compliance in Sight (Housing)
April 15, 1-2pm (Virtual)
Join the Bay State Public Health Training Hub for a presentation on neighborhood renewal. Krystle Carvalho, an Assistant Attorney General in the AG’s Neighborhood Renewal Division, will discuss the NRD program and how it serves communities, including restoring abandoned properties and halting the progression of hazards from non-compliance.
Reduced Oxygen Packaging (ROP) & Food Code Requirements
April 16, 12-1pm (Virtual)
Join the Barnstable Country Training Hub for a lunch and learn on applying Food Code standards in complex scenarios.
Retail Program Standards Symposium (Food)
April 20-22, 12-5pm (Virtual)
NEHA’s Symposium supports and educates retail food safety jurisdictions at state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) levels, whether just beginning with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards) or maintaining conformance with them. This year's Symposium focuses on “Progress in Motion”, providing practical, FDA-aligned insights on advancing Retail Food Program Standards through sessions with national experts and peers.
Tick Hunt and Educational Session
April 22, 12-4pm (In-person; Cambridge)
Concerned about ticks? Worried about protecting yourself and your pets from illness this tick season? Come join our community Tick Hunt and Educational Session at the Cambridge Water Works. The event is organized by the Cambridge Public Health Department and led by tickborne disease specialist Dr. Sam Telford.
Personal Safety and Security in the Workplace
April 23, 10am-12pm (In person; Randolph)
Join the town of Randolph and Metro South Public Health Alliance for a training on personal safety strategies for travel, parking, entering, and exiting buildings, along with workplace safety and hazard assessments for job duties.
Animal Control Report Writing ($$$)
April 28, 9:30am-12pm (In person; Chicopee, MA)
Clear, professional reports are one of the most important tools an Animal Control Officer has. Join Assistant District Attorney Erin Aiello for a focused training designed to strengthen report writing skills and highlight the legal impact of your documentation. $10 registration fee.
FDA Training FD215: Managing Retail Food Safety
This course explores how risk-based inspections can be applied in retail and food service establishments. Topics include the “process approach” to HACCP, applications of HACCP principles in routine inspection work, and assessing active managerial control of risk factors by operators through a HACCP system or other established food safety systems. While the process approach is new to many regulators, it is better designed for use in retail and food service settings than traditional HACCP approaches because it eliminates lengthy flow charting and hazard analysis for every type of food product.
FDA Training FD 218: Risk Based Inspection Methods in Retail
This workshop builds upon concepts learned in FD215 Managing Retail Food Safety and is designed to further enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of food safety inspection officers in conducting risk-based inspections.
Navigating the FDA Food Code: A Course for Industry Professionals ($$$)
May 19-21, 10am-6pm
Learn directly from instructors with both industry and regulatory experience in this standardized FDA curriculum. Build your knowledge of the Food Code, Good Retail Practices, and compliance essentials through interactive lessons and group exercises designed to strengthen your food safety operations.
MEHA’s 78th Annual Seminar ($$$)
May 20, 8:30am-3:30pm (In-person; Marlborough, MA)
This year’s educational seminar and awards ceremony will be held at the Courtyard Marriott in Marlborough. Attendees can look forward to presentations on food safety, asbestos abatement, Lyme disease, kratom, heath equity data and more.
Vibrio – Presented by MA DPH Central Trainers
May 21, 12-1pm (Virtual)
Join the Barnstable Country Training Hub for a lunch and learn on risk factors, seasonal trends, and regulatory considerations to support local response and enforcement.
MHOA Quarterly Meeting: Cannabis Control ($$$)
May 28, 10am-12pm (In-person; Plymouth, MA)
This training will provide an overview of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission and its role in regulating cannabis in Massachusetts. It will explore the expected role of local public health, including where responsibilities may overlap. The session will address social consumption sites and discuss what they are and what may be expected of local public health moving forward.
June 18, 12-1pm (Virtual)
Join the Barnstable Country Training Hub for a lunch and learn on labeling, cross-contact prevention, and what inspectors should look for when evaluating gluten free claims.
Title 5 System Inspector (SI) Certification Class ($$$)
July 2026; Dates/location TBD
Title 5 System Inspectors ensure your septic system is running efficiently and verify your system has been properly maintained. Title 5 inspections are required each time ownership is transferred. To receive notifications about upcoming classes, please email [email protected].
Resources
Overview:
- Blueprint for Excellence
- Office of Local and Regional Health
- DPH Food Protection Program
- DPH Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health
- Department of Environmental Protection
- TRAIN MA
- FoodShield
Organizations:
- Massachusetts Environmental Health Association
- Massachusetts Health Officers Association
- National Environmental Health Association
- NEIWPCC (Wastewater Training)
Resource Hub Library
Access to various template documents and other resources for Food, Housing, Wastewater, and more!
Requirements and Recommendations
| POSITION | REQUIRED AT HIRE | REQUIRED AFTER HIRE | RECOMMENDED |
| MANAGEMENT – e.g., Director, Assistant Director, Deputy Director
Management position does not do inspections but supervises those who do. |
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| PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE |
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| CLERICAL STAFF |
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| BOH MEMBER
(NOTE: IF DOING INSPECTIONS MUST MEET REQUIREMENTS ABOVE) |
| INSPECTION TYPE | REQUIRED | RECOMMENDED |
| FOOD PROTECTION |
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| HOUSING |
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| TITLE 5 |
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| POOLS |
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| RECREATIONAL CAMPS |
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| TANNING/BODY ART |
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| NUISANCES |
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| INSPECTION TYPE | REQUIRED | RECOMMENDED |
| FOOD PROTECTION
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| HOUSING
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| TITLE 5
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| POOLS
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| NUISANCES
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- All personnel should have at least ICS 100/NIMS 700 within one year of hire. Those who might have a leadership role should have ICS 200 and above.
- Boards of health may have stricter requirements, but must meet these requirements.
- Boards of health with current staff who have worked for local or state public health for at least 7 years, but who do not meet these requirements, may request a waiver except for inspectional trainings.
- Membership in professional organizations is deemed as critical for professional growth and development, for leadership and mentoring opportunities, and for opportunities for sharing best practices. This is recommended, but not required.
*Management positions should meet the requirements as set forth in this document for the position. However, a request may be submitted by the board of health to waive the Registered Sanitarian (RS) requirement if:
1) The health department has a management position and a separate fulltime environmental health director and
2) the environmental health director has an RS, oversees the inspectors, and reports directly to the management position.
Workforce Development Standards Waiver Request Form