The hmep grant program is authorized under 49 U.S.C. ? 5116 and provides federal financial and technical assistance to states, territories, and federally recognized tribes to increase local…

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) received a $1,325,057.50 Formula Grant from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) program (CFDA 20.703) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. This federal funding supports PEMA's efforts to increase statewide effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials (hazmat) in accidents and incidents. The grant provides financial and technical assistance enabling PEMA to enhance local hazmat emergency response capabilities, develop emergency plans, conduct training for emergency responders, and coordinate hazmat preparedness activities across Pennsylvania.

PEMA distributed sub-awards totaling the grant proceeds to 28 Pennsylvania county and municipal entities, including Allegheny, Lancaster, Luzerne, Northampton, and Butler Counties, among others. These sub-awardees utilize funding to strengthen local hazmat response planning, provide emergency responder training on hazmat transportation safety and incident management, and build regional capacity for coordinating hazmat accident response. The sub-grant structure enables PEMA to channel federal resources directly to county emergency management agencies and local government entities that serve as first responders to hazmat incidents, supporting the broader Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act objectives across the Commonwealth.

The hmep grant program is authorized under 49 U.S.C. ? 5116 and provides federal financial and technical assistance to states, territories, and federally recognized tribes to increase local effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials (hazmat) in accidents and incidents.