Emergency Responder Safety Institute

What Emergency Responder Safety Institute does

The Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI), founded in 1998, is a non-profit committee of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association (CVVFA) dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries of US emergency responders operating on roadways. The organization distributes a comprehensive, free-of-charge suite of Traffic Incident Management (TIM) training resources to fire departments, law enforcement agencies, EMS providers, Departments of Transportation, and towing/recovery professionals across the United States.

ERSI's core technology is the cloud-based Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN), a learning management system delivering 40+ online training modules (growing to 48+ by 2025), the National TIM Training Certificate, an interactive LODD map tracking struck-by fatalities since 2000, the Roadway Safety Shorts video series, the Roadway Safety Teaching Topic Packages (lesson plans, PowerPoints, and model SOPs), and the Struck By Incident Database. ERSI co-developed the only Pro Board-accredited Certified Traffic Incident Management Technical Specialist credential with FDSOA, aligned to NFPA 1091, and contributed as a key advocate to the 2024 publication of ASTM E3422, the first standard for protective helmets worn by pedestrian roadway workers. Distribution is fully digital and partner-driven: ERSI operates as an official partner of Safety Stand Down (with FDSOA, IAFC, IAFF, NFPA, NVFC), Crash Responder Safety Week, and Rural Road Safety Awareness Week, and reaches driver educators through a partnership with ADTSEA.

ERSI's business model is non-commercial: all training, certifications, videos, lesson plans, PSAs, SOPs, and incident reports are provided free of charge, with operations funded entirely by grants from US federal agencies including the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA/USDOT), plus organizational support from CVVFA. The organization has no paying customers, no disclosed revenue, and no external equity investors, functioning as a public-good resource for the US emergency response community.

Name

Emergency Responder Safety Institute

Legal name

Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI)

Website

https://respondersafety.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ERSI is a US non-profit committee of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association that provides free Traffic Incident Management training, certifications, and resources to fire, law enforcement, EMS, DOT, and towing professionals, funded entirely by federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety Training and Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Management, Disaster Response & Incident Command Training (EDAOAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Response, Fire Safety & Evacuation (EDABAEAE), Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Education (CPR/First Aid/Disaster Readiness) (EDAAAFAJ)

Keywords

• Traffic incident management training
• Roadway responder safety
• Emergency responder education
• Public safety training
• Struck-by incident prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrisburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Federal Funding: ERSI is funded through grants and contracts from U.S. federal agencies including the United States Fire Administration (USFA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA/USDOT). All training programs, resources, and materials on respondersafety.com are provided free of charge to emergency responders and the public. The organization is a committee of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association (CVVFA), which also contributes organizational support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Emergency Responder Safety Institute develops and delivers free online training, certifications, and educational resources focused on roadway incident response safety for fire, law enforcement, EMS, DOT, and towing professionals. Its core offering is the Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN), a cloud-based learning management system with 40+ training modules, the National TIM Training Certificate, the TIM Technical Specialist Professional Certification (in partnership with FDSOA), instructor teaching topic packages, video-based Roadway Safety Shorts, and a longitudinal struck-by Line of Duty Death tracking system.

Product overview

The Emergency Responder Safety Institute operates as a non-profit training and education organization offering a comprehensive suite of resources focused on emergency responder safety at roadway incidents. The portfolio centers on the Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN), an online training platform hosting over 40 modules, which delivers the National TIM Training Certificate. Supporting this core platform are the Roadway Safety Teaching Topic Packages providing instructor materials, the Roadway Safety Shorts video series for quick reference, and the TIM Technical Specialist Professional Certification offered in partnership with FDSOA. The organization also maintains a Struck By Incident Database for tracking fatalities and near misses, produces the ResponderSafety Podcast, and runs annual awareness campaigns including Safety Stand Down Week and Crash Responder Safety Week. Public education materials including PSAs, push cards, and infographics complement the responder-focused training offerings. All resources are provided free of charge to emergency responders and the public.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN) An online learning management system offering over 40 free interactive training modules on traffic incident management and roadway responder safety for fire, law enforcement, EMS, DOT, towing, and driver education professionals. Delivers the National TIM Training Certificate and hosts podcasts and instructor resources.
• National TIM Training Certificate A nationally recognized certification program for traffic incident management personnel, aligned with NFPA 1091 standards, delivered online through the Responder Safety Learning Network. Recognized for Texas continuing education requirements.
• TIM Technical Specialist Professional Certification A Pro Board-accredited professional certification for traffic incident management personnel, offered in partnership with the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA), meeting NFPA 1091 requirements. Open to all emergency responders regardless of discipline.
• Roadway Safety Teaching Topic Packages for Instructors Comprehensive instructional materials for instructors including lesson plans with pre-class assignments, TIM in a Minute summary videos, PowerPoint presentations, and model SOPs covering 10 critical roadway safety topics.
• Roadway Safety Shorts Video Series Brief instructional videos (typically 4-10 minutes) illustrating key safety practices for responding to roadway incidents, suitable for roll call, shift changes, and training rotations.
• Roadway Incident Safety Quick Start Resource A foundational reference document providing an overview of traffic incident management area setup, blocking procedures, and responder safety practices at roadway incidents for fire, law enforcement, EMS, DOT, and towing professionals.
• Public Education Materials PSA videos, push cards, infographics, and awareness campaign materials for educating the public about safe driving near emergency scenes, including distracted driving awareness and Move Over/Slow Down messaging.
• Struck-By Incident Database and Reporting System A comprehensive tracking system documenting emergency responder struck-by incidents on US roadways since 2000, including yearly fatality reports, an interactive Line of Duty Death (LODD) map, and near-miss reporting capabilities.
• ResponderSafety Podcast A podcast series hosted on the Responder Safety Learning Network featuring discussions on traffic incident management best practices, responder safety topics, and interviews with industry experts.
• Safety Stand Down Week Training Plans Week-long structured training programs with daily focus areas and activities for fire and emergency services personnel to focus on roadway safety education, delivered as part of the annual Safety Stand Down initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• Despite over 90% of surveyed responders agreeing that roadway incidents are about the same to much more dangerous than structure fires, only 46% reported always or almost always wearing helmets at roadway incidents, and only 32% fasten the chin strap — highlighting the safety gap ERSI's training addresses.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EndDD.org (End Distracted Driving / Casey Feldman Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2022ERSI and EndDD.org partnered to deliver the 'Train the Trainer: How to Give Effective Distracted Driving Presentations' webinar, livestreamed on May 17, 2022, addressing the 'D Driver' problem (distracted, drugged, and drunk drivers). The partnership provides distracted driving resources, PSAs, presentation materials, and curricula to emergency responders and public educators. Joel Feldman, founder of EndDD.org, has delivered over 900 presentations to approximately 200,000 students and adults.
• Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association (CVVFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVVFA is the parent organization of ERSI — the Emergency Responder Safety Institute is a committee of the CVVFA. CVVFA provides organizational infrastructure, governance, and administrative support for ERSI's programs and initiatives, including ResponderSafety.com. ERSI serves as the safety institute within CVVFA's structure, focused specifically on reducing responder deaths and injuries on roadways.
• Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDSOA offers the Certified Traffic Incident Management Technical Specialist credential in cooperation with ERSI. This is the first and only Pro Board-accredited national certification for TIM personnel meeting NFPA 1091 requirements. ERSI developed the certification exam study guide and preparation materials, and directs training candidates to complete the National TIM Training Certificate through RSLN before applying for FDSOA certification. The certification is open to all emergency responders regardless of discipline.
• American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVVFA/ERSI partnered with ADTSEA to create videos and classroom materials for driver educators teaching students how to safely encounter emergency scenes on the roadway. These materials are available to driver educators through DriverEducators.org. This partnership extends ERSI's reach into driver education, addressing the public side of the responder safety equation by ensuring new drivers learn how to react at emergency scenes.
• Texas Tech University and Lubbock Fire RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerERSI provided a grant to support a partnership between Texas Tech University and Lubbock Fire Rescue to develop new technologies in head protection for first responders on the roadway ('NextGen Helmet'). This research was subsequently awarded additional grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Suman Chowdhury and a team of Texas Tech researchers work with Lubbock Fire Rescue to ensure the new helmet design meets firefighter needs and the demands of modern firefighting operations.
• Mount Sinai Light and Health Research Center / Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerERSI partnered with Dr. John D. Bullough (Mount Sinai Light and Health Research Center) and Dr. Scott Parr (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) on research examining the impact of emergency vehicle lighting characteristics, marking colors, retroreflectivity patterns, and flash rates on driver behavior at nighttime traffic incident scenes. The research measured 'moth-to-flame' effects and the impact of retroreflective chevron markings in combination with lighting configurations. This research was funded by the U.S. Fire Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lexipol: Lexipol (which acquired PoliceOne and FireRescue1) is the leading commercial provider of online policy and training content for police, fire, and EMS agencies in the US — directly comparable to ERSI's online training delivery model for the same responder audience, though commercial rather than free.
• Vector Solutions (TargetSolutions): Vector Solutions' TargetSolutions platform delivers online training and compliance tracking for fire, EMS, law enforcement, and other public safety agencies — the closest commercial analog to ERSI's Responder Safety Learning Network, with a similar LMS-based, self-serve delivery model serving the same end-user base.
• Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA): FDSOA is ERSI's core partner and co-administrator of the Pro Board-accredited Certified Traffic Incident Management Technical Specialist credential. Both organizations operate in the same TIM training and responder safety niche, with overlapping audiences of fire service safety officers and training officers, and ERSI's training is the on-ramp to FDSOA's certification exam.
• American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA): ADTSEA is ERSI's driver education partner, co-creating classroom materials on safely encountering emergency scenes distributed through DriverEducators.org. Both organizations operate in traffic safety education for distinct but adjacent audiences (driver educators vs. emergency responders) with overlapping content on roadway behavior.
• EndDD.org (End Distracted Driving / Casey Feldman Foundation): EndDD.org is a distracted driving education nonprofit and direct ERSI partner that co-developed the 'Train the Trainer' distracted driving webinar. EndDD's founder has personally delivered ~900 presentations reaching ~200,000 students/adults — directly comparable in mission (changing driver behavior around emergency scenes) and operating model (free educational content distributed through partnerships).

Broad incumbents

• National Safety Council (NSC): NSC is a broad national safety organization that partnered with ERSI/CVVFA on a 1,000-driver national survey on distracted driving around emergency vehicles. NSC operates across all safety domains (roadway, workplace, home, community) rather than specializing in emergency responder roadway safety, but competes for the same federal and corporate safety funding pool.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): NFPA is the standards-setting body whose codes (NFPA 1091, 1500, 1550, 1900/1901) ERSI's training is explicitly aligned to, and an official ERSI partner in Safety Stand Down. NFPA operates broadly across fire and electrical safety rather than specializing in roadway responder safety, but its standards are the foundation ERSI's content operationalizes.
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC): IAFC is a major fire service leadership association and official ERSI partner in Safety Stand Down Week. While IAFC addresses the full breadth of fire chief leadership issues rather than specializing in TIM, it distributes training to overlapping fire service audiences and participates in the same federal grant ecosystem.
• Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA): GHSA is a nonprofit representing state highway safety offices and addresses roadway safety broadly — including distracted driving, Move Over laws, and TIM-related policy that intersects with ERSI's mission. GHSA operates at the policy/coalition level rather than delivering training, but competes for the same federal NHTSA/FHWA funding and policy attention.

Others

• Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI): TTI is a leading transportation research institute conducting roadway safety, traffic incident management, and human factors research — comparable in research output and federal grant funding profile to ERSI's research collaborations (Mount Sinai, Embry-Riddle), though TTI is research-driven while ERSI is training-and-advocacy-driven.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Respondersafety
• Facebookfacebook.com/roadwaysafety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/respondersafety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Emergency Responder Safety Institute