The Superfund Essentials webinar series presents essential information for environmental staff with little Superfund experience. The webinar introduces the Superfund program and gives an overview of the statutory and regulatory requirements. The removal and remedial process modules describe the assessment and response process followed by OSCs and RPMs as they address their sites. The webinar closes out by explaining the community involvement program and its role in Superfund and a discussion on the site assessment process. 

Objectives: After taking the webinar series, the participants will be able to (1) explain the provisions and requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), (2) follow the assessment and response process for conducting removal and remedial actions, (3) describe the community involvement program and their part in cleanup actions, and (4) explain the importance of several special topics to the Superfund program.

This series is not open to Academia, consultants, contractors or other private entities. 

RPM 301 is an intermediate- to advanced-level training course that expands on the Remedial Process and RPM 201 courses. The course is offered as part of the ongoing effort to prepare Remedial Project Managers (RPM) for the challenges they will encounter while managing their Superfund sites. RPM 301 helps RPMs hone their facilitation, team building and leadership skills and then challenges participants to apply those skills to the issues presented by large, complex sites, older sites, and sites with remedy effectiveness issues. Participants and instructors will also explore project management best practices for working in teams and working virtually. By completing RPM 301, participants will be better able to:

• Build, lead and facilitate the work of project teams more effectively.
• Identify and manage challenges and issues presented by large, complex sites.
• Identify and manage issues presented by older sites.
• Identify and manage remedy effectiveness issues.
• Manage projects by adopting best practices. 

RPM 301 is a 2-day training and will combine virtual sessions and in-person sessions. This course is recommended for RPMs with at least five years of experience and who are leading the activities at Superfund sites. RPM 301 may also benefit other technical project team members from EPA and the State. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO CONTRACTORS. The Remedial Process and RPM 201 courses are prerequisites for attendees to participate in RPM 301.

OSC 201 is an intermediate-level training course that expands on the Removal Process course to prepare On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) for the rigors of everyday removal action site activities. The instructional methodology will include a response case study to provide participants an opportunity to apply the skills learned during the course. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand how to apply a Removal Site Strategy Model to a project. The course reviews this effective conceptual tool in managing the factors that influence the cleanup at a removal site.
• Learn project management skills, including organization of a project, forecasting resources and personnel, planning meetings, documenting site activities and tracking schedules and costs. The course prepares OSCs for the daily challenges they will encounter during a removal action and an emergency response.
• Learn to navigate through the daily tasks of the removal process and adapt to changing site circumstances. The course includes a response case study to provide participants an opportunity to apply the skills learned during the course.
• Understand the keys to conducting a removal action that is consistent with the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The course takes a hands-on practitioner's approach to removal and emergency response management, based on the perspective of field operations, and focuses on attaining the response action goals.

OSC 201 is a 2-day training course designed for OSCs with one to two years of experience, particularly in the field at removal actions and who may have assisted other OSCs with removal actions or are now preparing to take the lead in conducting a large-scale removal action. More experienced OSCs may find the course useful as a refresher and an opportunity to share success stories and lesson learned with newer OSCs. Other EPA removal program personnel (including Headquarters regional coordinators, enforcement personnel, Removal Managers and Special Team members) are also welcome to attend. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, STATES, TRIBES, ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR OTHER PRIVATE ENTITIES. The Removal Process course is a prerequisite for EPA employees who would like to attend OSC 201.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

This 3-day course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to perform the Data Support Coordinator (DSC) position. It covers the roles and responsibilities of a DSC and the relationship of the DSC to other positions in the Incident Command System (ICS). The course includes the following modules:  Introduction, ICS for the DSC, Data Planning, Data Response Management, Data Collection Tools, Data Analysis-Visualization Tools, Data Deliverables, Data and the Privacy Act, Closing Wrap-Up and a half day exercise. This course also contains mini modules entitled “Soft Skills for Success” to highlight and exercise important soft skills necessary to perform the DSC function well. The goal of this course is to train a cadre of DSCs to lead data support teams and to provide support to the IMT for response data needs while advocating for sound data management practices.

This course is intended for U.S. EPA personnel who have performed data support functions in an emergency response scenario or perform data support functions in their regular job and have interest in performing emergency response data management coordination functions. This course is REQUIRED for all who wish to perform this role on a national response after 4/30/2025. This course is also recommended for U.S. EPA personnel who deploy, or intend to deploy, to emergency responses and will work closely with the DSC as part of their deployment (e.g., IC, OPS, LNO, PIO, and ENVL roles).

Target Group
This course is intended for U.S. EPA personnel who have completed Incident Command System ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, IS-800, ICS-300, and ICS-400 level courses and who have been identified to fill the Data Support Coordinator position on an Incident Management Team.

Objectives
After completing the course, participants will be able to:

• Define the role and responsibilities of the Data Support Coordinator (DSC) within the Incident Command System (ICS) structure.
• Identify the major functions of the DSC and their specific responsibilities.
• Describe the duties and assignments of DSC assistants.
• Be able to thoroughly understand the varied data collection, analysis-visualization tools, data deliverable tools.
• Thoroughly understand the DSC's roles and responsibilities specific to Privacy Act responsibilities.
• Describe the U.S. EPA structure for managing data during a NSI.
• Explain how the DSC interacts, within the ICS structure, with EPA Regional Offices and EPA Headquarters.
• Describe the approval process for data support coordinator products.
• Understand the roles and responsibility of the DSC to community relations.

In compliance with Executive Order 13589 - Promoting Efficient Spending, Section 5; the ERTP will not be regularly printing or providing students hard copies of course materials. Manuals are no longer issued in class. Students will be provided information on where they can go to download a copy to bring to class.  Students may obtain an electronic copy of the student manual for personal printing or e-reading at:

Environmental Response Training Program Virtual University - ICS-DSC

Continuing Education Units: 2.4

Unless otherwise specified, THIS COURSE, AND OTHER ERTP COURSES, IS NOT OPEN TO CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS, OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.
*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

IMPORTANT NOTICES – Applicable to all ERTP courses :

1. ERTP’s receipt of a Trainex course registration is a Registration Request, it is not a Guaranteed Enrollment in the Course. All ERTP training courses require applicant registration thru the Trainex system. Last minute course arrivals without prior ERTP Trainex course registration approval is not permitted. Before ERTP issues final approval to deliver any course and/or any EPA offices incurring expenses for the training event (including but not limited to EPA staff travel TA’s and/or ERTP training contractor expenses incurred), all EPA mandatory pre-approvals must all be met. The pre-approvals include (but are not limited to) the following:
   
   • Training location’s availability;
   • COVID status and/or other COVID Guidelines in effect for the location, as well as staff;
   • Agency limitations, scrutiny, and approvals of ‘Conference Spending Requirements (known as the “5170”)’ for the specific training course(s) scheduled delivery timeframe;
   • Weather (blizzard, hurricane, etc);
   • Contractual number of available course training slots;
   • Registrations supported by Regional Support Coordinators will have priority; and/or
   • EPA Course Contacts approval.
   
   In the event a course is subsequently postponed or canceled, or notification of registration cancellation is received, all EPA travel arrangements (airline/car rental/hotel) should be canceled in a timely manner. Registered students will receive a notification via email if/when a course is postponed and/or cancelled.
    
2. For in-person course deliveries, confirmed course registered participants must abide by all facility physical access requirements for the location (examples: check-in at the security gate, Federal ID, Government PIV/CAC cards, photo id’s, etc.). If applicable for the course or location, restrictions may apply to non-citizens and acceptable identification may be required for facility entry.

This 3-day course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to perform the Data Support Coordinator (DSC) position. It covers the roles and responsibilities of a DSC and the relationship of the DSC to other positions in the Incident Command System (ICS). The course includes the following modules:  Introduction, ICS for the DSC, Data Planning, Data Response Management, Data Collection Tools, Data Analysis-Visualization Tools, Data Deliverables, Data and the Privacy Act, Closing Wrap-Up and a half day exercise. This course also contains mini modules entitled “Soft Skills for Success” to highlight and exercise important soft skills necessary to perform the DSC function well. The goal of this course is to train a cadre of DSCs to lead data support teams and to provide support to the IMT for response data needs while advocating for sound data management practices.

This course is intended for U.S. EPA personnel who have performed data support functions in an emergency response scenario or perform data support functions in their regular job and have interest in performing emergency response data management coordination functions. This course is REQUIRED for all who wish to perform this role on a national response after 4/30/2025. This course is also recommended for U.S. EPA personnel who deploy, or intend to deploy, to emergency responses and will work closely with the DSC as part of their deployment (e.g., IC, OPS, LNO, PIO, and ENVL roles).

Target Group
This course is intended for U.S. EPA personnel who have completed Incident Command System ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, IS-800, ICS-300, and ICS-400 level courses and who have been identified to fill the Data Support Coordinator position on an Incident Management Team.

Objectives
After completing the course, participants will be able to:

• Define the role and responsibilities of the Data Support Coordinator (DSC) within the Incident Command System (ICS) structure.
• Identify the major functions of the DSC and their specific responsibilities.
• Describe the duties and assignments of DSC assistants.
• Be able to thoroughly understand the varied data collection, analysis-visualization tools, data deliverable tools.
• Thoroughly understand the DSC's roles and responsibilities specific to Privacy Act responsibilities.
• Describe the U.S. EPA structure for managing data during a NSI.
• Explain how the DSC interacts, within the ICS structure, with EPA Regional Offices and EPA Headquarters.
• Describe the approval process for data support coordinator products.
• Understand the roles and responsibility of the DSC to community relations.

In compliance with Executive Order 13589 - Promoting Efficient Spending, Section 5; the ERTP will not be regularly printing or providing students hard copies of course materials. Manuals are no longer issued in class. Students will be provided information on where they can go to download a copy to bring to class.  Students may obtain an electronic copy of the student manual for personal printing or e-reading at:

Environmental Response Training Program Virtual University - ICS-DSC

Continuing Education Units: 2.4

Unless otherwise specified, THIS COURSE, AND OTHER ERTP COURSES, IS NOT OPEN TO CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS, OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.
*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

IMPORTANT NOTICES – Applicable to all ERTP courses :

1. ERTP’s receipt of a Trainex course registration is a Registration Request, it is not a Guaranteed Enrollment in the Course. All ERTP training courses require applicant registration thru the Trainex system. Last minute course arrivals without prior ERTP Trainex course registration approval is not permitted. Before ERTP issues final approval to deliver any course and/or any EPA offices incurring expenses for the training event (including but not limited to EPA staff travel TA’s and/or ERTP training contractor expenses incurred), all EPA mandatory pre-approvals must all be met. The pre-approvals include (but are not limited to) the following:
   
   • Training location’s availability;
   • COVID status and/or other COVID Guidelines in effect for the location, as well as staff;
   • Agency limitations, scrutiny, and approvals of ‘Conference Spending Requirements (known as the “5170”)’ for the specific training course(s) scheduled delivery timeframe;
   • Weather (blizzard, hurricane, etc);
   • Contractual number of available course training slots;
   • Registrations supported by Regional Support Coordinators will have priority; and/or
   • EPA Course Contacts approval.
   
   In the event a course is subsequently postponed or canceled, or notification of registration cancellation is received, all EPA travel arrangements (airline/car rental/hotel) should be canceled in a timely manner. Registered students will receive a notification via email if/when a course is postponed and/or cancelled.
    
2. For in-person course deliveries, confirmed course registered participants must abide by all facility physical access requirements for the location (examples: check-in at the security gate, Federal ID, Government PIV/CAC cards, photo id’s, etc.). If applicable for the course or location, restrictions may apply to non-citizens and acceptable identification may be required for facility entry.

Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection (PA/SI) provides an introduction to the Superfund site assessment process and describes the preliminary assessment and site inspection phases of this process. By taking the course, participants will be better able to:

• Explain when, where, why and how site assessments are performed under the authorities of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The course provides an overview of key provisions of CERCLA and the response process established by the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The purpose, scope and requirements for performing a remedial preliminary assessment (PA) and remedial site inspection (SI) at sites regulated by CERCLA are explained as well as recognizing if threats exist that could warrant a removal action.
• Prepare for, conduct and report the results of a remedial PA. The course identifies and explains procedures for performing a remedial PA, including determining whether a PA is appropriate, planning for and conducting the remedial PA, preparing a preliminary Hazard Ranking System (HRS) score for the site, using checklists and documenting results so that a decision can be made about the site.
• Determine the need for, conduct and report the results of a remedial SI. The course identifies the step-by-step activities for conducting a remedial SI, including discussion of health and safety considerations for field activities, establishing data quality objectives and developing sampling strategies to obtain data for HRS scoring, validating data and preparing a final report to document the decision-making process.
• Identify and use guidance, software and other tools to successfully meet the requirements for conducting a remedial PA and SI. The course will identify guidance and policies issued by the EPA applicable to conducting a remedial PA and SI, explain the basic structure and scoring factors of the HRS and introduce site investigators on how to use EPA's Quickscore.

PA/SI is a 3-day training course designed for personnel who are required to compile, draft and review PA, SI and HRS documentation records and packages submitted for sites proposed for the National Priorities List (NPL). This course is open to EPA, federal, state, and tribal personnel who support site investigation programs. The course is also open to current U.S. EPA contractors that perform site investigation work. U.S. EPA contractors will need to provide approval from their EPA TOCOR to Barbara Charris, EPA CEC Program Manager (charris.barbara@epa.gov) to attend the training. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, NON-EPA CONSULTANTS, NON-EPA CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.

It is recommended that you take the Hazard Ranking System training course prior to the Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection training course.

Waste Treatment, Transportation and Disposal, a 2.5-day advanced training course, focuses on specific technical and regulatory issues that On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) and Remedial Project Managers (RPM) must address when treating, transporting and disposing of waste. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn a step-by-step approach to the treatment, transportation and disposal of waste. The course discusses oversight of the major steps in procuring cost-effective and efficient treatment, transportation and disposal of waste. The course explores the complex definitions of solid and hazardous waste and provides real-life examples of how to decide whether wastes are RCRA hazardous during a removal action.
• Discover practical recommendations for improving the treatment, transportation and disposal process. The course stresses some obvious and other less obvious aspects helpful in improving the transportation and disposal process.
• Master information about the identification and analysis of waste. Participants will obtain information from experienced professionals about the process of identifying and analyzing special waste types and to arrange for treatment, transportation and disposal of waste.

Waste Treatment, Transportation and Disposal is an advanced-level training course intended for EPA OSCs and other EPA removal program personnel. The course is designed to equip OSCs with the information they need to plan for the treatment, transportation and disposal of wastes generated from removal actions. Other EPA environmental professionals, such as RPMs, site assessment managers, remedial program staff, and Special Team members may also benefit from the course. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, STATES, LOCAL AGENCIES, TRIBES, ACADEMIA, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS OR OTHER PRIVATE ENTITIES.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

Superfund 101 consists of two introductory-level courses: Fundamentals of Superfund and Enforcement Process Overview. The target audience for each course is On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) and Remedial Project Managers (RPM).

Fundamentals of Superfund, a 3-day introductory training course, provides an overview of the purpose, legal framework and implementation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) for newly hired OSCs and RPMs. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the evolution of the Superfund program. The course explores the origin, accomplishments and future of the Superfund program.
• Understand the statutory and regulatory basis for the authorities of OSCs and RPMs. The course provides an overview of the roles of the OSC and RPM as they are defined in laws, regulations, policy and guidance, including a comparison of authorities and liabilities.
• Learn about the three types of response activities defined under CERCLA. The course discusses the components of the removal, remedial and enforcement programs and the major responsibilities of OSCs and RPMs in their work on Superfund responses, site cleanups and enforcement activities.

Enforcement Process Overview, a 2-day course, provides an overview of the EPA’s Superfund enforcement process for OSCs and RPMs. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn about the goals, priorities, and actions of the Superfund enforcement program. The course provides an introduction to response actions and enforcement authorities under Superfund; illustrates the relationship between major enforcement actions and remedial and removal actions; defines Superfund enforcement goals and principles; identifies objectives of Superfund enforcement reforms; and highlights current enforcement priorities of the EPA.
• Understand the EPA’s fundamental principles and policies related to enforcement, the four types of potentially responsible parties (PRP), common defenses against liability and other enforcement policies. The course examines the four classes of PRPs, identifies PRP’s defenses and exemptions to liabilities, and identifies major enforcement discretionary policies.
• Understand the Superfund enforcement process and the roles of states, tribes, Federal agencies and communities in the enforcement process. The course examines and applies EPA’s cost recovery strategy and discretionary enforcement policies, as well as the roles of administrative and judicial law in the enforcement process.
• Develop their ability to use the tools available to encourage settlements. Participants will learn about the various types of enforcement tools, such as alternative dispute resolution, that are used in the settlement process.

Superfund 101 is recommended for new OSCs and RPMs as well as other programmatic and field support staff (i.e., enforcement personnel, HQ regional coordinators, Special Team members) as well as other federal agency, state and tribal environmental professionals involved in cleanups at Superfund sites. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES. In addition, the Superfund 101 course is a prerequisite for EPA employees who would like to attend the Removal and Remedial Process courses. 

Please note, non-EPA registrants may be asked to cancel their registration if the course reaches capacity, as priority to attend this course is given to EPA Superfund RPMs and OSCs.

Please note: For OSCs/RPMs to receive your certificate for this training, you will need to attend class until 3:00 p.m. local time on Friday. Please plan your travel accordingly.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

Incremental Sampling is a two-day course that provides an overview of incremental sampling concepts to address soil heterogeneity and obtain soil samples that are representative of the site. The course also includes an introduction to using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in conjunction with incremental sampling to support real-time decision making for characterization and cleanup. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand how soil heterogeneity affects data variability and how incremental sampling controls heterogeneity.
• Calculate common statistical parameters used to support quality control and analysis of incremental sampling.
• Build the introductory skills needed to plan, design, collect, and analyze incremental soil samples with robust data quality considerations.
• Understand the theory and operation of XRF and how it is used in the field to collect high-quality metal concentration data.
• Receive hands-on training for designing an incremental sampling approach, collecting incremental samples, calculating statistical parameters, and taking XRF measurements on prepared soil samples.

The training course uses a combination of lectures and interactive scenarios for participants to practice and discuss sampling design based on a site’s conceptual site model, present case studies and lessons learned for a variety of applications and contaminant scenarios and provide an opportunity for hands-on demonstration of incremental sampling and subsampling tools and approaches.