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Introduction

The tragic events of September 11, 2001, highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive, accessible training for first responders and public health professionals. In response, the TrainingFinder Real-time Affiliate Integrated Network (TRAIN) was created to equip these vital professionals with the knowledge and skills required to address a wide spectrum of challenges—ranging from chemical and biological threats to large-scale public health emergencies.

This article explores the origins, features, and impact of TRAIN, a collaborative initiative between the Public Health Foundation (PHF) and KMI Learning, which has grown into one of the largest and most trusted public health training platforms in the United States.

The Need for TRAIN

In the aftermath of 9/11, it became clear that public health workers and first responders needed coordinated, on-demand training to meet evolving security and health challenges. The need extended beyond terrorism response to include natural disasters, bioterrorism, and eventually global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced unpredictable variants and complex daily challenges.

TRAIN recognized that readiness and rapid access to training were essential for building resilience in the nation’s public health and safety systems.

The Birth of TRAIN

In 2003, KMI Learning and the Public Health Foundation (PHF) launched TRAIN with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and 20 state affiliates. KMI brought its highly customizable, multi-tenant Learning Management System (LMS)—a platform flexible enough to evolve with changing needs, yet structurally robust to support large-scale adoption.

Over time, TRAIN expanded from its initial affiliates to include 43 partners, including 32 states. The platform was designed to:

  • Support multiple organizations and portals
  • Allow custom branding for affiliates
  • Enable integration with third-party course providers
  • Provide distributed administration for member organizations

This foundation made TRAIN a forward-looking system—outward-facing to learners while staying aligned with emerging training demands.

Feature-Rich and Future-Focused

TRAIN’s LMS includes features that make it both powerful and adaptable:

  • Multi-organization support for state and federal affiliates
  • Flexible portals for specific audiences and use cases
  • Custom branding to maintain identity for affiliates
  • Integration with external course providers to expand learning opportunities
  • Distributed administration for efficient local management

By staying current with trends and anticipating future training needs, TRAIN ensures its affiliates and users remain prepared for any challenge.

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Remarkable Growth and Impact

Over the past two decades, TRAIN has grown into one of the largest public health training platforms in the country:

  • Over 6 million registered users
  • 25,000+ courses across diverse disciplines
  • Adoption by 32 U.S. states and numerous federal agencies

Its affiliates include leading organizations such as:

  • Medical Reserve Corps
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

By providing a centralized platform for training and tracking progress, TRAIN has become an indispensable resource for public health preparedness and workforce development.

Conclusion

The TrainingFinder Real-time Affiliate Integrated Network (TRAIN) demonstrates the power of innovation and collaboration in public health. From its origins after 9/11 to its role in addressing COVID-19 and beyond, TRAIN continues to evolve, ensuring that first responders and health professionals remain equipped to protect communities.

With millions of learners, thousands of courses, and decades of impact, TRAIN is not only a training platform—it is a cornerstone of national readiness and resilience.