The Hazardous Materials Preparedness (HMEP) Grant Program distributes fees collected from shippers and carriers of hazardous materials and distributes money for local hazardous materials planning and training. KDEM is responsible for administering the HMEP grant program for Kansas. The focus of the HMEP program is to provide financial and technical assistance as well as national direction and guidance to enhance State, Territorial, Tribal, and local hazardous materials emergency planning and training.
Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) are eligible for submitting proposals for HMEP grant funds. Since the funding is limited, in order to better serve the communities of Kansas, projects that reflect regionalized planning and training elements receive priority. This change of focus reflects a shift in the Federal level funding towards regional based funding. While it is not a requirement of HMEP funding at this time, KDEM encourages participation in regionalization efforts.
The Technological Hazards Section is responsible for:
- Administering the Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety program for the state
- Coordinating grant reimbursement with the U.S. Department of Transportation
- Budgeting, preparing, and distributing the HMEP grant funds to the LEPCs
- Assisting contractors and LEPCs in risk and vulnerability assessments
- Conducting project review of LEPC hazardous materials safety projects
- Conducting hazardous materials regionalization response assessments