Applying for DHS/FEMA Grant Funded Courses

STEPS:

QUALIFY: Qualifying individuals must be a State, Local, Tribal, or Territorial First Responder and receive approval to attend from both their Supervisor and State Administrative Agency (SAA). Follow the steps below to Apply for training.

Step 1 APPLYING: Apply by clicking on desired course link below:

You will need the following to complete your application:

In the application, you will be able to select your 1st and 2nd choices for your class dates. Please reference the 2023 Course Schedule available for download here:

Download 2023

Step 2: Once online application is submitted, you will receive a SERTC Application email from Register@aar.com with further instructions.

Due to updated and expanded spam filters, please add Register@aar.com to your contacts to avoid email issues. This will ensure that all emails between our system and your email providers will not be blocked or rejected. If you do NOT see a same day email from us, please send email to sertc@aar.com or call 719.584.0584.

Step 3: Either print the application or you may electronically sign it, forward to your supervisor for signature, and finally forward to your SAA for their approval.

        • It is your responsibility to follow up with your SAA to confirm receipt of your application and that it has been approved and sent to SERTC for registration. Applications do not guarantee or register you in a training course.

Step 4: 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 1st Choice class preference.

Step 5: Once registered, you will receive a Registration Confirmation email with tasks and details for your course.

FAQS

Who qualifies?

Qualifying individuals must be a State, Local, Tribal, or Territorial First Responder. Federal employees are not eligible to apply; however, they may use their own funding through Open Enrollment. Availability of cooperative agreement funding is contingent upon completing the application and SAA’s approval process.

What SERTC courses fall under DHS/FEMA?

 Eight courses are funded by DHS/FEMA:

  1. PER-327 Crude By Rail Emergency Response (CBR), 3-Day, 24-Hr Course
  2. PER-293 HazMat/WMD Technician for Surface Transportation (HWMDTST), 10-Day, 80-Hr Course
  3. PER-291 Highway Emergency Response Specialist (HERS), 5-Day, 40-Hr Course
  4. PER-292 Leadership and Management of Surface Transportation Incidents (LMSTI), 5-Day, 40-Hr Course
  5. PER-290 Tank Car Specialist (TCS), 5-Day, 40-Hr Course
  6. PER-367 Tactical Hazardous Materials Operations for Surface Transportation (THMOST), 5-Day, 40-Hr Course
  7. Three classes offered for Surface Transportation Emergency Preparedness & Security (STEPS):
    PER-326 Freight (STEPS-FR), 2-Day, 16-Hr Course
    PER-330 Mass Transit and Passenger Rail (STEPS-PT), 2-Day, 16-Hr Course
    PER-331 Senior Officials (STEPS-SR), 1-Day, 4-Hr Course
Where are the course descriptions? 
What is the status of my DHS/FEMA Application?

If you have not received any correspondence from either your SAA or directly from SERTC:

  • Be sure that you printed your application email and obtained your supervisor’s signature, you signed your name, and emailed your application to your SAA.
  • Contact your SAA to confirm receipt of your application. Confirm that they approved your application and emailed it to SERTC at sertc@aar.com.
  • Contact us at (719) 584-0584 to confirm that we have received your application. We can then discuss your individual situation.
  • One application per course. Application is valid for 2-years from the date SERTC receives the approved application from your SAA.
What is the status of my DSH/FEMA Travel Reimbursement? 

If you have sent in your reimbursement form, please allow 6 weeks from the time it arrives to receive your reimbursement check.  This link allows you to see what has been received

What is a FEMA SID?

PURPOSE: The FEMA Student Identification (SID) number is used as the unique individual identifier for all applicants requesting training at FEMA training facilities. The FEMA SID number is used as the applicant’s unique student identifier for the following areas: training records and continuing education credit through the International Association for Continuing Education and Training. Some facilities may still require the social security number for training medical records, travel authorizations, and travel reimbursement.

ROUTINE USES: The FEMA SID number is stored for a minimum of 40 years. This information is used by FEMA staff and its training partners on a need to know basis for Official Administrative purposes only. Release of an individual’s FEMA SID number or other personally identifiable information will not be granted to any person or agency outside of FEMA or its training partners without a written request for the information and written permission from the applicant, staff or faculty member.

DISCLOSURE IS VOLUNTARY: Disclosure is voluntary. Although without disclosure of your personal information we cannot create a unique FEMA SID number to use as a unique identifier in place of your social security number. Without a FEMA SID you may not be eligible for training at FEMA training facilities.

Why do I need a FEMA SID?

FEMA SID is required to register for and participate in any training provided by FEMA agencies. All FEMA training providers’ registration systems and enrollment procedures require a valid FEMA SID. Your FEMA SID serves as your personal identification number and connects all of your FEMA training records under one account to simplify keeping track of all your FEMA training accomplishments.

How do I obtain a FEMA SID?

If you need to obtain a FEMA SID click here: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/Register.aspx. If you already have a FEMA SID, have forgotten it, or need updates, click here: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/helpdesk/Authentication/RetrieveFEMASID.

How do I find other funding?

US DOT Announces $20.2M HMEP Grants Link

Additional options:

  • Contact your SAA for possible state funding or other grant funding that may be available. With these funds, you may register as an Open Enrollment student.
  • You may try www.grants.gov.
  • Continue to check our website for additional seating.