Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant

The Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant is administered by Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (MT DES), with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The program is designed to enhance the capabilities of state, tribal, and local agencies in preparing for and responding to incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials. By investing in training and planning activities, the HMEP grant helps ensure the safety of people, property, and the environment across Montana. The program aligns with the objectives of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986, focusing on building comprehensive, community-informed emergency response plans. Eligible applicants for the HMEP grant include local units of government within Montana—such as counties, cities, towns, special districts, and state agencies—as well as federally recognized tribal governments. Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) are especially encouraged to participate by applying directly or partnering with local agencies. A key requirement of the program is a 20% cost share from applicants, which may be met through direct expenditures or in-kind contributions. Notably, seventy-five percent of total HMEP funds must be passed through to local or tribal units of government, while the remaining 25% may be used by the state for administrative and oversight functions. The types of projects prioritized for funding include Hazmat Technician, Operations, and Awareness Level Trainings, local hazardous materials planning, and multi-disciplinary exercises. Specific planning efforts may involve commodity flow studies, emergency response plan development or updates, and tabletop exercises designed to validate those plans. All planning activities should include broad stakeholder participation and reflect realistic scenarios tailored to each jurisdiction’s potential threats and infrastructure. Training-related projects must align with nationally recognized competency standards (e.g., NFPA 472, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120). Exercises funded through this program must be grounded in gap analyses or after-action reports and include comprehensive after-action and improvement plans. Funding may also support attendance at related planning courses or conferences. However, certain costs are explicitly disallowed, such as fees for state and local personnel receiving training, entertainment, alcohol, and any costs that supplant existing operational funds or are already reimbursed under another federal program. The application period for the FY 2025 cycle opened on February 3, 2025, and closed on March 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM Mountain Time. Submissions were required via email using the official application package available on the MT DES website. Applicants were instructed to provide detailed project narratives, budget justifications, and milestone timelines. Award decisions will be made through a two-tier process: initial review and recommendation by MT DES, followed by final approval from the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). Funds are expected to be distributed no later than 45 days after the State’s acceptance of the federal award. The grant is structured as a three-year program, with separate one-year periods of performance: Year 1 from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026; Year 2 through September 30, 2027; and Year 3 through September 30, 2028. Updates for the second and third years may be submitted during annual update periods, typically held in April or May. Awarded sub-recipients are required to submit biannual progress reports and at least one reimbursement request, along with appropriate documentation. Technical assistance and compliance monitoring will be provided by MT DES through both remote and in-person methods.

Projects should demonstrate reduction in vulnerability or increase in hazmat preparedness capability; clearly tie narrative to PHMSA goals.