DHS/FEMA-funding

Our training center is open, and all classes are taking place as scheduled.
The learning experience at SERTC is our top priority, and we are committed to keeping you informed. If there are any changes to our training schedule, participants will be notified as soon as possible.
(Updated 06/13/2025)

 

DOWNLOAD 2025 DHS/FEMA-FUNDED COURSE SCHEDULE

 

How to Apply for Training

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, you must:

    • Be a state, local, tribal, or territorial first responder.
    • Receive approval from both your supervisor and your State Administrative Agency (SAA).

 

Application Steps

 

Step 1: Prepare Your Application

Before applying, gather the following:

Apply by clicking a course link below or selecting a class date from the calendar at the bottom of the page. You’ll be asked to choose your first and second choice class dates.

 

Step 2: Confirmation Email

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an email from register@aar.com with further instructions.

     Tip: Add register@aar.com to your contacts to avoid missing the email. If you don’t receive it the same day, contact sertc@aar.com or call (719) 584-0584.

 

Step 3: Obtain Required Signatures

Print or electronically sign your application, then:

  • Send it to your supervisor for approval.
  • Forward it to your SAA for final approval.
    • Your SAA’s email will appear on the printed form. You are responsible for confirming that your SAA has submitted the approved application to SERTC.
     Note: Approval does not guarantee enrollment.

 

Step 4: Registration

Once SERTC receives your approved application from the SAA, you’ll be registered on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on seat availability. SERTC will try to place you in your first-choice class.

 

Step 5: Final Confirmation

If registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email with course details and next steps.

 

View Courses Calendar

FAQs

Follow-Up Steps if You Haven’t Received Correspondence

If you haven’t received any correspondence from either your SAA or directly from SERTC, please follow these steps:

  1. Verify Application Submission
    • Ensure you printed your emailed application, obtained your supervisor’s signature, signed the application yourself, and emailed the completed application to your SAA.
  2. Contact Your SAA
    • Confirm that your SAA received your application, approved it, and emailed it to SERTC Administration at sertc@aar.com.
  3. Contact SERTC Administration
    • Call SERTC Administration at (719) 584-0584 to confirm receipt of your application. We can then discuss your individual situation.

Additional Information

    • One application per course is required.
    • Completed and approved applications are valid for two years from the day SERTC receives the application directly from your SAA.

Reimbursement checks can take up to six weeks to be processed and returned to you from the date SERTC Administration receives your completed form. Please ensure you have submitted your reimbursement form and contact SERTC Administration to confirm receipt of your documents. If you have not received your reimbursement within six weeks of submission, please contact us at (719) 584-0584.

The FEMA Student Identification (SID) number is a unique individual number generated and assigned to participants who need or are required to take training provided by a FEMA organization. The SID uniquely identifies you throughout the FEMA organization and all of its agencies. The goal is for your FEMA SID to serve as your personal identification number instead of your Social Security Number (SSN) in support of FEMA’s effort to decrease/cease the use of SSN for identifying and tracking individuals. Visit www.cdp.dhs.gov/femasid to learn more about the FEMA SID number, why you need one, and how to apply for one.

To qualify, individuals must be state, local, tribal, or territorial first responders. This includes first responders who volunteer with local or state fire departments. Funding availability is contingent upon the completion of an application by a qualified first responder and receiving authorization from both their supervisor and State Administrative Agency (SAA).

Federal employees are not eligible to apply for this funding but may attend training using their own funding through Open Enrollment / Self-Pay.

SERTC currently offers five residential, and four mobile, DHS/FEMA-certified courses. These courses are identified with the DHS/FEMA logo on our courses page.

Residential courses conducted onsite at the SERTC training facility:

  1. PER-290 Tank Car Specialist (TCS), 5 days/40 hours
  2. PER-291 Highway Emergency Response Specialist (HERS), 5 days/40 hours
  3. PER-292 Leadership and Management of Surface transportation Incidents (LMSTI), 5 days/40 hours
  4. PER-293 HazMat/WMD Technician for Surface Transportation (HWMDTST), 10 days/80 hours
  5. PER-327 Alternative Fuels & Flammable Incident Response and Management (AFFIRM), 5 days/40 hours

Mobile Courses scheduled and conducted at your facility:

  1. AWR-290 Railroad Safety Awareness (RSA), 1 day/4 hours
  2. PER-326 Surface Transportation Emergency Preparedness and Security – Freight (STEPS-FR), 2 days/16 hours
  3. PER-330 Surface Transportation Emergency Preparedness and Security – Mass Transit & Passenger Rail (STEPS-PT), 2 days/16 hours
  4. PER-331 Surface Transportation Emergency Preparedness and Security – Senior Officials (STEPS-SR), 1 day/4 hours