Free Hazmat Training Available through ALERT Grant

     Do you feel adequately prepared to respond to a hazmat incident? Equip yourself with the knowledge today! The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) partnered with six fire service organizations, including the National Volunteer Fire Council, to provide free hazmat training for volunteer and remote emergency responders through the Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) grant. This grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and specifically focuses on emergency response activities involving the transportation of crude oil, ethanol, and other flammable liquids by rail.

     “Safety is our top priority and the ALERT grant will help first responders, especially volunteer firefighters in rural or remote parts of the country, prepare for and respond to incidents involving flammable liquids,” said former U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “It’s critical that first responders have the information and training they need to respond to these types of incidents.”

     First responders can access information about the trainings and resources developed through the ALERT grant from the National Hazardous Materials Fusion Center at www.hazmatfc.org/ALERT.

     This Fusion Center provides a one-stop shop for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information about hazmat emergency response. The Fusion Center currently offers planning guides, online courses, and information about instructor-led trainings covering a variety of topics, including regional rail response, hazmat awareness and operations, hydrogen response, ethanol emergencies, and propane emergencies.

     Learn more about ALERT training opportunities and available resources at http://www.hazmatfc.org/ALERT.