Focuses on response to rail transport of crude oil, ethanol, other flammable liquids
Fairfax, Va. – The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant under the new phase of The Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The IAFC will continue to develop and offer essential training for volunteer and remote emergency responders to ensure they are equipped to manage emergency events involving rail incidents effectively.
The ALERT grant program focuses on emergency response activities involving the transportation of crude oil, ethanol and other flammable liquids by rail. Training from the initial 2015 grant included both online and in-person training:
- Online: Ethanol Emergencies, Hydrogen Response, HazMat Awareness, and coming soon: Regional Rail Response. So far, 2,725 responders have been trained via the online courses and the IAFC’s outreach continues.
- Instructor Lead Training (ILT): Ethanol Seminars, HazMat Operations, and Regional Rail Response. In the first grant period of performance, 1,571 responders were trained with 13,394 contact hours with an additional extension of the Regional Rail Response class.
According to Chief Thomas Jenkins, IAFC president and chairman of the board of directors, “The ALERT grant program has been a tremendous success. Thanks to this federal assistance, the IAFC through the availability of both in-person and web-based training will be able to continue to provide crucial training and information to thousands of emergency responders from coast to coast.”
To create and manage the program as effectively as possible, the IAFC partners again with the following organizations:
- International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
- National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
- International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI)
- Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)
For more information, visit the Hazardous Materials Fusion Center.
About the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders.
Learn more
For more information on the U.S. DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), visit
www.phmsa.dot.gov.