More than half a million dollars in hazmat grants will go to train responders around the U.S.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – For the eighth consecutive year, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) was awarded a Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT) Grant of $376,961 funded by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under the U.S. Department of Transportation. TEEX uses these funds to train instructors around the United States who provide training to employees on Hazardous Materials Regulations.
TEEX Training Coordinator Taylor Hartmann says, “The HMIT Grant provides valuable training for employees on understanding the Hazardous Materials Regulations so they can prepare and transport hazardous materials safely. This training leads to fewer hazmat incidents and is essential for a safer transportation network within the United States. We are very thankful for PHMSA’s continued commitment to the safety and well-being of the public.”
In addition to this grant, TEEX also received a first-time PHMSA Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) grant of $295,000 to train first responders for railcar emergencies involving flammable gases and flammable liquids. These funds will allow TEEX to deliver an additional 12 classes over the next year at no cost to responders. TEEX also sets aside money to assist departments from underserved communities with lodging costs. While the HMIT grant is centered on training employees for proper awareness and transport of hazardous materials, the ALERT grant is focused on training first responders for hazmat response.
TEEX Training Manager Nick Hickson says, “With the PHMSA ALERT Grant, TEEX will be able to train responders from the United States to safely and effectively respond to incidents involving railcars. This training will be conducted at TEEX’s Brayton Fire Training Field to allow class participants to train on actual railcars, protective housings, leaking valves and a full-scale train derailment. This training on life-size props allows participants to gain essential knowledge that is difficult to obtain with pictures, videos or cut-down models. This will allow responders to return to their communities better prepared.”
To read more about the grants, see Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT) Grant | PHMSA (dot.gov) and Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) | PHMSA (dot.gov).
For more information or to enroll in hazardous materials instructor training go to https://teex.org/class/dot501/.
For more information or to enroll in hazardous materials training go to Hazardous Materials | TEEX.ORG.
Distributed by:
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
Vita Vaughn | Director of Marketing and Communications/CMO
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