Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)

HMEP Summary

The Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005 authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide assistance to public sector employees through training and planning grants to states, territories, and Native American tribes for emergency response. The purpose of this grant program is to increase state, territorial, tribal, and local effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents, enhance implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency training and planning by incorporating the unique challenges of responses to transportation situations.

The Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant program is intended 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. The HMEP grant program distributes fees collected from shippers and carriers of hazardous materials to eligible Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) for hazmat planning and training.

HMEP grant funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. HSEM serves as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for HMEP grants in Iowa.

Application Status

The 2025 local application period is OPEN.

Closing Date: January 17, 2025