August 15, 2023
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) today announced the availability of more than $300,000 in funding to improve the state's response to hazardous materials emergencies. The federal Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant program, administered by DHSES, provides funding to support preparedness efforts for hazardous materials incidents with an emphasis on bulk transportation of energy products by rail and road. A Request for Applications (RFA) is now available for HMEP funding for New York State’s 18 HazMat regions, with each region receiving approximately $16,000 in grant funding.
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials have become all too common in recent months and pose a direct threat to public safety. Through this funding, we’re able to ensure our local partners have the resources and training they need to protect their communities against future spills.”
DHSES is encouraging potential applicants to use this funding to:
- Develop and/or enhance Geographic Response Plans for crude oil response
- Address regional planning deficiencies required to achieve accreditation under the State’s HazMat Accreditation Program
- Conduct commodity flow studies to determine the frequency and quantity of hazmat shipments being transported through local communities
- Train emergency responders to respond appropriately to incidents involving bulk shipments of energy products as well as other hazardous materials
Counties are required to apply for this funding on a regional basis through a common fiduciary agent, which promotes regional preparedness for hazardous materials emergencies, complements existing relationships established through the HazMat Targeted Grant Program, and leverages all available funding streams to achieve the greatest possible impact from this funding opportunity.
The deadline to apply for the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant program is September 19, 2023. For more information, potential applicants can visit the DHSES Grants web page.
About the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) provides leadership, coordination, and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, follow @NYSDHSES on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter) or visit dhses.ny.gov.
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