HazMat Emergency Preparedness Grant
Introduction
Federal Hazardous Material Law authorizes the United States Department of Transportation / Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (US DOT/PHMSA) to provide assistance to public sector employees through training and planning grants. The purpose of the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant program is to increase 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. This is a performance-based grant that builds on and supports accomplishments of long-term goals and objectives. On behalf of California, the Cal OES HazMat Section administers the grant while the Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) review and prioritize the applicants.
Because each region in California has unique risks associated with them, Cal OES directs local agencies to submit applications to the LEPCs for review and prioritizing, taking into consideration that larger sums may be necessary in specific areas with the greatest need. There are certain geographical areas that are of particular concern, especially considering transportation-related risks.
HMEP Grant Resources
The Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). General information about the program is available on the PHMSA HMEP website.
Funding opportunities are announced through PHMSA. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is issued during the first year of a grant cycle, and grantees are notified directly by PHMSA. Please note that HMEP grant opportunities are not posted on Grants.gov during the second and third years of the grant cycle.
Grant-specific requirements and special terms and conditions are provided in each recipient’s Notice of Grant Award (NGA). These documents are distributed directly to grant recipients and are not publicly available.
General federal grant terms and conditions can be found in the original NOFO issued during the first year of the funding cycle.
HMEP Contact
For more information regarding the HMEP Grant, contact:
Erika Olsen, Senior Emergency Services Coordinator
Hazardous Materials & Special Operations
Phone: (916) 531-3734
erika.olsen@caloes.ca.gov
HMEP – 2026-27 Subgrant Announcement
2026-27 HMEP Planning Subgrant Cover Letter
2026 27 HMEP Planning Subgrant Funding Announcement
2026 27 HMEP Planning Subgrant Guide
HMEP – Subaward Forms
HMEP Work Schedule Deliverables
HMEP – Guidance
US DOT Title VI Assurance Statement
PHMSA HMEP Best Practices Guide
HMEP – Planning Activities
Cal OES 2011-12 HMEP Grant Approved Sub-Grant Projects – March 2012
Cal OES 2012-13 HMEP Grant Approved Sub-Grant Projects – January 2013
Cal OES 2013-14 HMEP Grant Approved Sub-Grant Projects – March 2014
Cal OES 2014-15 HMEP Grant Approved Sub-Grant Projects – March 2015
Cal OES 2015-16 HMEP Grant Approved Sub-Grant Projects – November 2016
HMEP – Training
CSTI Hazardous Materials Program
Links
Listed below are useful links related to the HMEP Grant. Some of these links may point to an external website. Cal OES is not responsible for content found on these sites.
National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO)
U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)