Supplemental Public Sector Training (SPST) Program

Advancing Hazardous Materials Training and Preparedness

The IAFC Supplemental Public Sector Training (SPST) Program strengthens hazardous materials preparedness by expanding training for emergency responders responsible for managing hazmat incidents.

Funded through a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the program helps build instructor capacity and provides responders with practical knowledge and skills to safely and effectively manage hazardous materials emergencies.

How the Program Supports Fire and Emergency Services

The IAFC began this program in 2025, building on years of hazardous materials training and stakeholder engagement through PHMSA’s Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) Grant Program.

Through SPST, the IAFC is working to:

• Expand hazardous materials training opportunities nationwide.
• Strengthen unified command and incident management capabilities.
• Increase the number and capacity of qualified hazmat instructors.
• Improve community-wide hazmat planning and preparedness.
• Develop practical training resources based on lessons learned from real-world incidents.
• Prepare responders for evolving hazardous materials risks.

Unified Command for Hazardous Materials Incidents

SPST funding is supporting development of a new Unified Command for Hazardous Materials Incidents course.

The course builds on lessons learned through previous IAFC initiatives, including the Unified Command Summit and Significant Rail Incident Study, to help responders and agency leaders strengthen coordination and decision-making during complex hazmat incidents.

The training will focus on applying unified command principles to incidents that require multiple agencies, jurisdictions and disciplines to work together effectively.

Whole Community Planning for Disaster

The program is also supporting a comprehensive update to the IAFC’s Whole Community Planning for Disaster course.

The updated curriculum expands the course’s focus to community-wide hazardous materials preparedness, including:

• Hazard identification
• Risk assessment
• Emergency planning
• Stakeholder coordination
• Community risk reduction
• Preparedness and resilience before, during and after an incident

The course provides emergency planners and responders with practical strategies for identifying risks, coordinating resources and strengthening preparedness throughout their communities.

Building Hazmat Response Capabilities Nationwide

Through the SPST Program, the IAFC is expanding its hazardous materials leadership and incident management education through both in-person and virtual training opportunities.

By growing a national network of instructors and developing practical, current training resources, the IAFC helps ensure fire and emergency service professionals have the knowledge, leadership skills and operational capabilities needed to safely manage today’s evolving hazardous materials challenges.