The Security and Emergency Response Training Center will begin offering highly realistic FEMA-funded first responder training for alternative fuels and electric vehicle emergency response in November 2024.
SERTC recently broke ground on a new training area, expanding the flammable liquids emergency response course to include alternative fuels and electric vehicle (EV) emergency response. The Alternative Fuels and Flammable Incident Response and Management (AFFIRM) course was recently approved by FEMA’s National Training and Education (NTED) division for development as a fully funded grant program. As with all the training offered in the NTED catalog, participant’s travel, transportation, lodging, meals, and course costs are included which means that responders or their organizations will not incur these expenses.
The AFFIRM program will continue SERTC’s tradition of offering the most realistic, hands-on transportation and hazmat training experience possible. All current resident courses are a near 50/50 split of classroom and field exercises, and the AFFIRM course will follow suit. SERTC is partnering with industry leaders Hazard3, EPC, and members of the Association of American Railroads to develop relevant classroom materials. In addition to internal reviews by SERTC’s experienced instructional staff, numerous external subject matter experts (SMEs) will review the materials for accuracy and alignment with FEMA’s national goals throughout the development process. The field scenarios will include live fires on four different training scenarios including a 750-foot-long mixed commodity derailment, an industrial loading facility with rail and highway containers, a 1600-barrel storage tank battery, and a live EV fire scenario.
Two “pilot” courses will be held this year beginning the weeks of November 18 and December 16. Pilot courses will be used as full-scale tests to gather input on the course from SMEs in all invited industries and response areas. After gathering input and making the appropriate changes, the course will go through the accessibility certification process and then be added to SERTC’s regular course schedule, beginning in April 2025.
For more information about SERTC’s training courses or to register your interest in attending AFFIRM please visit the AFFIRM course page and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates on courses and training.
About SERTC: SERTC has trained more than 80,000 responders since 1985 and is a division of MxV Learning Institute and MxV Rail, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Offering courses through resident classes in Pueblo, CO, and via remote delivery, SERTC offers comprehensive training programs, hands-on exercises, and cutting-edge resources to equip emergency responders with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage hazardous incidents effectively and protect public safety. With state-of-the-art facilities and experienced instructors, SERTC is committed to promoting safety, security, and resilience in the transportation industry and beyond.
About Hazard3: Established in 2020 by Dr. Christina Baxter and Gary Sharp, Hazard3 has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s leading resources for training emergency response teams, military units, and intelligence agencies. Their comprehensive workshops and courses significantly boost the capabilities of responders by merging expert training, streamlined procedures, and equipment insights. The company was acquired by Safeware in late 2023 and continues to be a vital part of the emergency response training environment and a welcome partner with SERTC.
About EPC: For over 22 years, Engineering, Procurement & Construction, Inc. (EPC) has been at the forefront of hydrogen technology, designing, building, and operating over 200 hydrogen systems. Safety has always been a priority in every aspect of their work. As an industry expert, EPC is proud to contribute to the development of this course, bringing decades of knowledge and experience in hydrogen technologies to enhance safety and innovation in the field.
Contact: Niki Toussaint, Senior AVP Marketing & Education, niki_toussaint@aar.com, 719-671-8676