WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today announced more than $4 million in FY 2017 Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT) and Supplemental Public Sector Training (SPST) grants.

The HMIT grants fund the training of instructors who then train private-sector hazardous materials employees. The SPST grant funds national nonprofit fire service organizations to train instructors to conduct hazardous materials response training programs for local responders.

“Enhancing the safe transport of hazardous materials by highway, rail, water, and air is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “These grants are force multipliers in helping communities get more local first responders and employees prepared for transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.”

The following FY 2017 HMIT grants were awarded:

• The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Corporation for Re-Employment and Safety Training ($729,197)
• The International Chemical Workers Union Council ($399,608)
• Sustainable Workplace Alliance ($817,950)
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service ($708,239)
• Short Line Safety Institute ($500,000)

For the FY 2017 SPST grant cycle, one national nonprofit fire service organization, the International Association of Fire Fighters was awarded a grant of $931,000.

“Well-trained first responders play a critical role in any hazardous materials incident, and this grant funding supports their efforts to protect their communities,” said PHMSA Acting Administrator Drue Pearce. “These grants are part of our comprehensive approach to improving the safe transportation of hazardous material across the country.”

For further information, go to: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/grants-program.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation’s 2.7 million mile pipeline transportation system and the nearly one million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air. Please visit http://phmsa.dot.gov for more information.