Course Catalog

Innovative Training for Today’s Transportation Professional

The Transit Safety and Security Division was established in 1976 in direct support of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) mission to provide economical, timely, state-of-the-art training and educational opportunities to the transit industry.  The Division also serves to provide support to FTA to develop, manage and deliver training required by legislation.   The Division, housed within the USDOT Office of the Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), serves as the primary training unit for FTA’s Office of Transportation Safety and Oversight (TSO).

As a steward for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Transit Safety and Security Division is responsible for equipping transportation employees with the core competencies they need to operate, maintain, and manage public transportation systems. Through the use of both instructor-led training and instructional e-learning technologies, the Division develops and delivers innovative and responsive training courses to meet the needs of today’s changing transit industry. 

Critical Safety, Security and Operations Training Courses

TSI’s training programs are designed and delivered to provide critical safety and security information, best practices, and regulatory guidance.  Upon successful completion of TSI training courses, attendees receive real-world tools and resources which enable participants to enhance the safety and security programs within their respective agency.  Certificates of Completion are provided to participants who successfully complete the course with an 80% or higher.  Additionally, course materials are routinely updated to ensure all pertinent regulatory requirements are addressed in each training course, including MAP-21, 49 CFR Part 655.14 (b) (2) and 49 CFR Part 659, etc. 

Participants of most TSI courses are also awarded Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Please review the course catalog for additional details and information. Click Here.

Education helps build the foundation that shapes our future…
Moving ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21)

Congress establishes the legal authority to commence and continue FTA programs through authorizing legislation covering several years. On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), reauthorizing surface transportation programs through fiscal year 2014. Each reauthorization amends the Federal Transit Laws codified in 49 USC Chapter 53. MAP-21 took effect on October 1, 2012.

Major Themes:

• Strengthens America’s highway & public transportation systems
• Establishes a performance-based Federal program
• Creates jobs & supports economic growth
• Supports the Department’s aggressive safety agenda
• Simplifies and focuses the Federal program
• Accelerates project delivery & promotes innovation

For more information, please visit http://www.fta.dot.gov/map21/

Training Costs/Registration

Training Costs
The Federal Transit Administration sponsors all training activities provided by the Transit Safety and Security Division.  All costs, other than a small materials fee (which covers the cost for textbooks, classroom supplies, printing and shipping), are waived for all transit system employees, Federal agencies, or state transportation agencies that are direct recipients or sub-recipients of FTA funds.  Courses offered on a cost-recovery basis are an exception to this waiver.

Preference for registration is given to FTA grantees and State Safety Oversight personnel.  If a class does not meet maximum participant enrollment requirements, registration becomes open to any non-FTA grantees.  Non-FTA grantees must be able to confirm their job-related responsibilities are pertinent to the course subject matter.

Cost-Recovery
The Transit Safety and Security Division periodically offers courses on a cost-recovery basis for transit agencies or transit-related organizations.  The requested training is limited to host agency staff or invitees.  Registration is closed to outside participants.  The following circumstances under which cost-recovery courses are offered when a:

• Agency receives a Department of Homeland Security Grant
• Transit agency or organization requests training in addition to the published schedule
• Non-transit organization with related training interest requests a course
• Transit organization outside of the United States requests a course

Registration
To register, please log on to TSI’s website at www.tsi.dot.gov.  All registrations must be made online via credit card or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).  Registrations will be reviewed and approved by TSI.  Registration closes two weeks prior to training.  Once enrolled, you will received a notification email 30 days prior to training that outlines the logistics of the class to include transportation, training site, hotel room block, etc.

Cancelations/Refunds/Substitutions
Materials fees are refundable if cancelation is received in writing 25 days prior to class start date.  Otherwise, a substitution can be made if the registrant is unable to attend.  Please note that the substitution is restricted to that specific class, location, and date, and TSI must be notified prior to the class start date due to prerequisite requirements.

Transit Safety and Security Division Staff

The training staff is comprised of TSI course managers, associate and contract staff. All are recognized transit professionals and subject matter experts. Each is trained in adult learning principles, course design and development, and facilitation skills.

A team of instructors is selected to conduct each course or seminar. The team is selected based upon varied background, diverse knowledge, and experience in transit.

Division Manager
Amber Reep

Contact the TSI Transit Division at  transit@dot.gov

Course Managers
Steve Dallman

• Transit Bus System Safety
• Transit Rail System Safety
• Transit Rail System Safety & Security Audit Course
• Instructors Course for Transit Trainers (Bus and Paratransit)
• Transit Rail Incident Investigation
• Advanced Rail Incident Investigation
• Transit Supervisor Certification Course
• Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Considerations for FTA Capital Projects
• Transit System Security:  Design Review
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
• Curbing Transit Employee Distracted Driving (Online Course)
• Fatigue and Sleep Apnea Awareness for Transit Employees (Online Course)

Donald Pike

• Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies
• Fundamentals of Bus Collision Investigation
• Advanced Problems in Bus Collision Investigation
• Substance Abuse Management and Program Compliance
• Reasonable Suspicion Determination for Supervisors Seminar
• Transit Industrial Safety Management
• Identifying IED Threats to Public Transit Seminar
• Transit Response to Bus Hijacking Seminar
• Transit Response to Rail Hijacking Seminar

Program Analyst
Radonna Snider

Training Program Assistant
Ron Schaefer

Course Registrar (contractor)
Jamie McAlvain
Ricky Thomas
Lindsay Schroeder

Training Support (Shipping)
Michael Rone

Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) Certificate

The Transit Safety and Security Division is also responsible for managing and administering the Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP).  The certificate program recognizes the rail and bus transportation safety and security professionals who have successfully completed the required course work and core competencies to earn a TSSP Certificate of Completion.

A transit professional that successfully completes the four (4) required courses within a consecutive three (3) year timeframe is eligible to apply.  The Certificate of Completion indicates that the individual has a broad-based knowledge of the safety and security principles applicable to transit system safety, operations and management.  Certificate holders are provided the necessary information to develop and implement system safety, security, and emergency management program plans. The certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the following courses. Individuals can choose either path or both.

Participants should notify TSI one month prior to the completion of the last required course.

NOTE:
Individuals who have received TSI's Transit Safety and Security Program certificate have met the course requirements for the World Safety Organization (WSO) certification.

Professional Development and Continuing Education

International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
CEU awarded: Various – see course description

TSI has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).  In obtaining this accreditation, TSI has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice. As a result of their Authorized Provider status, TSI is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard.

In addition to IACET CEU’s awarded, upon successful completion of TSI's Substance Abuse Management and Program Compliance course, participants are eligible for the following:

Employees Assistance Certification Commission (EACC)/Employee Assistance
Professional Association (EAPA)
PDH awarded: 19.5

PDH awarded by the EACC may be applied towards meeting Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), psychology, counseling, social work, education, related credentialing, and accreditation or licensure requirements as accepted by the respective credentialing board or agency.

Substance Abuse Program Administrator's Certification Commission (SAPACC)
CEH awarded: 8

CEH awarded by the SAPACC may be applied towards recertification of C-SAPA and SAP. In addition, these hours may be applied towards requalification for Q-SAP.

Training Facilities

U.S. Transit Agency
Most of the available courses are conducted at transit agency facilities throughout the country. To make this possible, agencies offer their facility as a host site. Host facilities can be provided by state agencies, transit safety and insurance organizations, and organizations such as regional or state transit associations. Training may also be conducted in conjunction with industry conferences or coordinated with specific agency initiatives.

Transportation Safety Institute (TSI)
The Transit Safety and Security Division is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on the grounds of the Federal Aviation Administration Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC). The MMAC is located one mile west of Will Rogers World Airport.

A number of classrooms, laboratories, meeting, and conference rooms are on-site at the main TSI campus. There are several cafeterias and snack bars located on the premises. Hotels and a variety of restaurants are within minutes of TSI.

Host a Class

If you are interested in hosting a class, please e-mail your request to Transit@dot.gov. Requests can also be submitted in writing using your agency's letterhead. Be sure to include all information requested on the form.

Agencies can submit host requests at any time. To be considered for the upcoming fiscal year (October through September), you must submit your host request by April 30.

Host Requirements

• A training room that meets TSI's requirements
• Ample room to conduct and support field exercises (as the course necessitates)
• On-site clerical and logistical support
• Provide transportation to/from training site for participants and instructors
• Secure storage area for class materials and equipment
• Lodging arranged for participants and instructors in accordance with TSI and Federal travel guidelines
• Guaranteed registration of twelve participants either from the host agency or other organizations invited by the host agency
• Payment of materials fees for host participants

The number of participants for some courses may be limited. If the course is not filled with outside registrants, the host agency may register additional participants. For more information about hosting a course, call (405) 954-3682.

The World Safety Organization, Inc. (WSO) Certification

The World Safety Organization, Inc. (WSO) established two certification categories for the rail and bus transportation industry:  Certified Safety Specialist and Certified Safety and Security Director.  Certification is an important step in determining a basic level of competence that is measurable by and meaningful to both management and peers within the industry.  This initiative recognizes the expertise of rail and bus transportation safety and security professionals.  Several of TSI’s courses can be applied towards the course requirements for certification.  Qualifications and criteria for WSO Certification are as follows:

For more information, please contact WSO at info@worldsafety.org or (660) 747-3132.

NOTE:
Individuals who have earned TSI’s Transit Safety and Security Program Certificate have met the course requirements for WSO Certification.

Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Certificates

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute (EMI) offers several course certificates that complement the training offered by TSI.  These additional course offerings serve to heighten and reinforce awareness of important emergency management topics such as Incident Command Systems, National Incident Management System, and Continuity of Operations Planning.   FEMA’s EMI offers these courses online through their website including:

• IS-100.b, Introduction to Incident Command System, (ICS)
• IS-546.a, Continuity of Operations Awareness Course, (COOP)
• IS-700.a, National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction

These courses are available online through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute’s website. http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.aspx

Department of Homeland Security Grants

The following courses were approved by the Department of Homeland Security/Office of Domestic Preparedness and are eligible for a Homeland Security Grant.  The courses are included in the Office of Grants and Training Federal course catalog. 

• FT00432 – Transit System Security
• FT00531 – Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
• FT00538 – Transit System Security:  Design Review
• FT00463 – Transit Response to Bus Hijacking Seminar
• FT00456 – Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies
• FT00550 – Identify IED Threats to Public Transit
• FT00532 – Transit Response to Rail Hijacking Seminar

For more information regarding eligibility, please contact us.