PHMSA Awarding $32.4MM for Hazmat Safety
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will distribute $32.4 million to states, territories and tribes for six hazardous materials safety grant programs in FY 2022.
One of the programs is rail-related: PHMSA will provide $1.2 million in Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training grants to support the training of volunteer or remote emergency responders to respond to incidents involving hazmat shipments by rail.
The agency will also provide:
- $24.2 million for Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grants for states, territories and tribes to aid in the development, implementation and improvement of emergency plans for local and tribal communities and first-responder hazmat training.
- $3.8 million in Hazardous Materials Instructor Training grants to support the training of hazmat instructors who train hazmat employees.
- $1.7 million in Supplemental Public Sector Training grants to support non-profit organizations that train hazmat instructors to conduct first-responder trainings.
- $1 million in Community Safety grants to support projects that enhance the capabilities of communities to respond to hazmat emergencies and the training of state and local enforcement personnel responsible for enforcing the safe hazmat transport.
- $414,000 in Hazardous Materials State Inspection grants to cover costs for state-run hazmat shipper inspections to include personnel, travel, equipment, supplies and training for hazmat inspectors.
The six programs include a total of 81 nationwide grants (downloadable list below), according to PHMSA, which noted that this year there was a 14% increase in the number of grantees receiving awards and a 12.5% increase in total grant funding.
“First responders are at the forefront of community and environmental safety,” PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown said. “These grants will provide local emergency responders with the necessary training and resources they need to respond to hazardous materials transportation incidents.”
