Cumulative final report results indicate, since the beginning of the program, HMEP grantees have accomplished 8,616 commodity flow and hazard analyses, developed or updated 50,982 plans, conducted 11,722 exercises, and helped an average of 1,713 LEPCs each year. In the latest reporting period HMEP grantees have accomplished 474 commodity flow and hazard analyses, developed or updated 3,499 plans, conducted 1,169 exercises, and helped 1,644 LEPCs.

• Since the beginning of the program approximately $152 million has been awarded in HMEP grants.
• Over 2,102,000 responders and others have been trained in part thus far with HMEP grant funds.
• HMEP Curriculum guidelines are distributed to over 24,000 grantees, LEPCs/State Emergency Response Commissions and local fire departments on a request basis (telephone (301) 447-1009 for a copy). Grantees will use these guidelines to qualify courses for the list of courses mandated by Congress. Assistance is being provided to grantees in using the guidelines to qualify their courses.

The next edition of the HMEP Curriculum guidelines is under development, and will include: complete new responder training requirements fully consistent with the new NFPA 472; new hospital first receiver training requirements consistent with new JCAHO requirements; new incident command system (ICS) training guidelines consistent with and cross walking NIMS, FIRESCOPE and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, the Fire Service Incident Management System Consortium, OSHA, and NFPA requirements; and new Training Program Management guidelines providing guidance on curriculum design, on risk-based training planning needed for implementation of new NFPA 472 training, on delivery management and record keeping, and on emerging instructor certification and responder certification systems and procedures.

• The HMEP grant program's role in providing hazmat planning and training support was commended by local responders during the Tamaroa, Illinois incident on February 9, 2003, the I-95 tanker accident which took 5 lives on January 13, 2004, and the San Antonio collision, derailment and chlorine spill on June 28, 2004, where 2 were killed and twenty injured.
• The HMEP grant program is actively involved in the NFPA 472 change process through technical assistance sessions and national response team training committee meetings.
• The International Association of Firefighters has trained, thus far, approximately 2,237 fire service instructors using HMEP grant funds. Graduate instructors train approximately 47 students each year, making hazmat training available to more firefighters at an increased number of locations.

The HMEP grant program evolved from a proposal developed by DOT, FEMA, EPA, DOL/OSHA, and DOE. It was presented to Congress during the legislative process to reauthorize the HMTA of 1974. Federal Hazardous Material Transportation Law (FHMTL) creates an appropriate role for the Federal government to provide financial, technical assistance, national direction, and guidance to enhance State and local hazardous materials emergency planning and training.

In August, 2005, President Bush signed the "Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005," more than doubling the HMEP grants program and providing for a new Hazmat Instructor Training grant.

The HMEP grant program is carefully crafted to build upon existing programs and relationships. It increases the emphasis on transportation in ongoing efforts. The HMEP grant program was designed to support the framework and working relationships established within the National Response System and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 (Title III).

FHMTL authorizes $5 million in annual planning grants to States, Territories, and Native American tribes -- with a required 75% pass-through of funds to LEPCs.

These planning grants are to be used for:

1. developing, improving, and implementing emergency plans under Title III;
2. conducting commodity flow studies; and
3. determining the need for regional hazardous material response.

FHMTL authorizes $7.8 million in annual training grants to States, Territories, and Native American Tribes -- with 75% of the funding used to provide training to local responders, including volunteers.

Training grants are to be used for training public sector employees to respond safely and efficiently to accidents and incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials.

Using curriculum guidelines prepared by a National consensus author team process, States will qualify courses they use for hazardous materials training.

The list of courses mandated by Congress will consist of State qualified courses. In this way, a national list of courses will be generated in full partnership with the States.

Assistance is being given to States in using the qualification mechanism contained in the curriculum guidelines.

The Training and Curriculum subcommittee of the National Response Team's Preparedness Committee, co-chaired by DOT and FEMA USFA, provides coordination for the HMEP grant program at the Federal level.

Assistance is supplied to grantees by DOT staff insuring accomplishment of objectives and proper expenditure of funds.