Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)

PHMSA's goal is to ensure that responders trained under the grant can protect nearby persons, property, and the environment from the effects of accidents or incidents involving HAZMAT transportation. PHMSA's goal for planning activities is to develop

PHMSA'S HMEP grant program fund planning and training initiatives that increase State, local, territorial and tribal effectiveness to safely and efficiently handle hazardous materials accidents and incidents. Training conducted will improve the capability of communities to plan for and respond to the full range of potential risks posed by accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials, thereby protecting nearby persons, property, and the environment from the effects of accidents or incidents involving hazardous materials. HMEP grants have two principal uses. First, to assist States, Territories and Tribes in developing, improving and implementing emergency response plans under EPCRA; including the determination of flow patterns of hazardous materials within a State, between States and lands; determining the need for regional hazardous materials response teams. Second, to stimulate support for training of public sector employees to respond to accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials.

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.

HMEP: State, Local, Federally Recognized Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories, Student/Trainee, Emergency Responders.

Transportation, Civil Defense/Disaster Prevention and Relief/Emergency Preparedness. The HMEP grant program will increase emphasis on transportation in ongoing efforts and improve communities' ability to plan for and respond to the full range of risks posed by accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials. HMEP grants have two principal uses. First, to assist States, Territories, and Tribes in developing, improving, and implementing emergency response plans under EPCRA, including the determination of flow patterns of hazardous materials within a State, between States, and across land borders; and determining the need for regional hazardous materials response teams. Second, to stimulate support for the training of public sector employees to respond to accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials.

HMEP funding cannot be used for operational equipment nor construction costs.

The length of project periods may extend from time of initial award for 12 months, through the end of the following fiscal year; however phased accomplishments or budget periods will limit the time frame for the funds awarded. Payments will generally be reimbursable, paid based on submission of a Request for Advance or Reimbursement Form 270.

An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

HMEP: Not applicable for grants to States and Territories. Grants made to Tribes will be in accordance with the following selection criteria: (1) Potential Benefit; (2) Priority Need; (3) Number of Public Sector Employees Trained; (4) Long Term Benefit to Tribe; (5) Past Performance.

PHMSA will review applications based upon merit, including the clarity of the project narrative and reasonableness of cost as described in the budget narrative. PHMSA reserves the right to make adjustments that are beneficial to the goals of the HMEP. Federal agency representatives will evaluate the grant applications. Each grant application will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria listed in the NOFO. Special emphasis will be placed on reviewing whether the application has a coherent project narrative that follows the outline of this funding announcement, and whether the costs described in the budget narrative appear to be necessary, reasonable, allowable and allocable.

Contact the PHMSA headquarters location for the appropriate application deadlines.

From 60 to 180 days. The Department, along with the PHMSA Administrator, will review Hazardous Materials Safety grant awards.

Grantee submits written extension requests with reasons for requests to the grant program for review and approval.