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 04/17/2025)

 

DOWNLOAD 2025 DHS/FEMA-FUNDED COURSE SCHEDULE

To Qualify

To qualify, individuals must be state, local, tribal, or territorial first responders and receive approval to attend from both their supervisor and State Administrative Agency (SAA). Follow these steps to apply for training:

Step 1: Applying

You will need the following to complete your application:

Apply by either clicking on the desired course link below or scrolling through the calendar at the bottom of this page and selecting a class date to apply for.

In the application, you will be able to select your first and second choices for class dates.

Step 2 Confirmation Email

Once the application is submitted, you will receive a SERTC application email from register@aar.com with further instructions. To avoid email issues, please add register@aar.com to your contacts. If you do not see an email from us the same day, please send an email to sertc@aar.com or call (719) 584-0584.

Step 3 Approval Signatures

Print the application to sign it, or electronically sign the application. Forward it to your supervisor for an approval signature, and then forward it to your SAA for approval. Your SAA’s email information was entered during the application process and is printed on your application for easy reference. It is your responsibility to follow up with your SAA to confirm their receipt of your application and that it has been approved and emailed to SERTC for review. Note: Approved applications do not guarantee or register you in a training course.

Step 4 Registration

Once the application has been received by SERTC directly from the SAA, SERTC Administration will register you based on a first-come, first-served basis, depending upon seating availability. SERTC will do its best to register you in your first-choice class preference.

Step 5 Confirmation

Once registered, you will receive a registration confirmation email with tasks and details for your course.

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