Funding will increase effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials incidents including those involving crude oil.

 The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) today announced that over $220,000 in Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grants have been awarded to local governments to increase the effectiveness in safely handling incidents that involve hazardous materials. The grant will also enhance the implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), and will encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency planning by incorporating the unique challenges of responses to transportation situations. The grant is administered through the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

DHSES Commissioner John P. Melville said; "Hazardous or combustible materials, such as crude oil are shipped throughout our state on our highways, waterways and rail lines. It is vitally important that local governments not only have the most well trained first responders, but are working off the best emergency plans to prepare for and respond to challenges that these types of incidents could bring.”

The HMEP grant program is awarded to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) throughout the state that are in compliance with EPCRA planning standards for planning and exercise costs that support preparedness for incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials, with an emphasis on crude oil transportation.  New York City and each of the 57 counties outside of New York City have been designated as LEPCs. LEPCs can revise or update their emergency plans and conduct exercises and drills to test their plans for hazardous materials incidents.   Additionally, LEPCs can promote the regionalization of hazardous materials preparedness and response resources.

 This year, 21 LEPCs were funded through this grant opportunity:

* denotes grantee applied for a project related to crude oil preparedness

 About DHSES

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and its four offices -- Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, and Interoperable and Emergency Communications -- provide leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov