Strengthening Hazardous Materials Response and Preparedness
The Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The program promotes hazardous materials response training for volunteer and remote emergency responders, with a focus on incidents involving the transportation of crude oil, ethanol, and other flammable liquids by rail in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) works to advance hazardous materials and rail-response preparedness through training, research, and stakeholder collaboration. Working closely with members of the IAFC Hazmat Committee and partner organizations, the IAFC develops initiatives that strengthen responder capabilities and improve coordination across the public and private sectors.
Over the years, ALERT funding has supported the development of numerous IAFC training and educational resources, including the Rural Rail Response online course and accompanying Rural Rail Response Guide, as well as the Ethanol Response and Hydrogen Response online courses available through the IAFC Academy. These resources help prepare responders across the country for hazardous materials transportation incidents involving rail and other emerging hazards.
The IAFC’s most recent ALERT award supported the continued advancement of the Significant Rail Incident Study and the inaugural Unified Command Summit, held in Pueblo, CO in March of 2026. The Summit brought together representatives from the fire service, rail industry, chemical industry, federal agencies, emergency management, and emergency communications organizations to identify best practices, strengthen partnerships, and improve unified response to complex hazardous materials transportation incidents.
The final Unified Command Summit report is scheduled for publication in fall 2026, with planning already underway for a follow-up Summit in 2028. Through the ALERT program, the IAFC continues to develop training, research, and collaborative initiatives that enhance hazardous materials preparedness and improve emergency response capabilities nationwide.
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