The purpose of the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant Program is to increase State and local effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents; enhance implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA); and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency planning and training by incorporating the unique challenges of responses to transportation situations. The HMEP Grant Program is intended to provide financial and technical assistance as well as national direction and guidance to enhance state, territorial, tribal, and local hazardous materials emergency planning and training. The program distributes fees collected from shippers and carriers of hazardous materials to emergency responders for Hazardous Material (Hazmat) training and to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) for Hazmat planning and training. HMEP Grant objectives include:
There are two categories for funding through this program in 2012:
None is available.
HMEP Planning Grant MAY fund these activities:
The HMEP Training Grant MAY fund these activities:
http://www.in.gov/dhs/files/FY_2012_HMEP_GUIDANCE.pdfjsteel@dhs.in.gov
Federal Hazardous Material Law authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide assistance to public sector employees through planning and training grants to states, territories, and Native American tribes for emergency response. Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) in Indiana which are compliant with state statue IC 13-25-1-6 (overseen by the Indiana Emergency Response Commission [IERC]) are eligible to receive funding through these planning and training grants.
The application deadline was August 1, 2011. Similar deadlines are anticipated annually.
The HMEP grant specifies two (2) categories of funding: PLANNING and TRAINING. Annual grant awards from DOT to Indiana may total approximately $483,256; of which the state may use 75% on behalf of LEPCs. Federally identified activities congruent with the HMEP objectives include conducting commodity flow assessments, hazards analysis, drills and exercises; assessing local response capabilities; enhancing emergency plans, and training conferences or courses.