PUCO awards nine hazardous materials training grants

COLUMBUS, OH (March 10, 2009) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved nine hazardous materials training grants totaling $500,000 to local government agencies and educational institutions across Ohio. The grants will be used to train public safety and emergency services personnel in the proper techniques for the management of hazardous materials transportation and spills.

The PUCO awarded the following grants:

1.      Ohio Turnpike Commission (Cuyahoga County) – Ohio Turnpike Commission will receive $42,000 towards a course called Transport and Use of Alterative Fuels in the State of Ohio. This course will be developed and taught over a two-year period at various locations throughout Ohio.

2.      Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (Hamilton County) – The college together with the Hamilton County Fire Chiefs Association and the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Regional Hazmat Team will jointly receive $98,850 in grant funding to provide emergency response training in Hamilton County and surrounding areas.  

3.      City of Toledo – Division of Environmental Services (Lucas County) – The city will receive $18,750 to train emergency responders in a Hazmat Specialized Chemistry Program provided by Hazmat IQ and an eight-hour Emergency Responder Refresher Course provided on site by The University of Findlay.  

4.      Henry County Local Emergency Planning Committee (Henry County) – The committee will receive $16,618 to provide four training opportunities for responders within Henry County.

5.      Northwest Area Strike Team (Franklin County) – The Strike Team will receive $2,500 to stage a Surviving the Hazmat Experience training simulation course.

6.      Beavercreek Township Fire Department (Greene County) – The fire department will receive $38,985 for five courses. The courses will educate 203 students in hazardous materials and refresher training.

7.      Franklin County Emergency Management Agency (Franklin County) – The agency will receive $29,700 to train emergency responders in a Hazmat Specialized Chemistry Program provided by Hazmat IQ. There will be six classes provided for 90 emergency responders.

8.      Seneca County Emergency Planning Agency (Seneca County) – The agency will receive $11,500 to provide Confidence in the Hot Zone training for 75 fire service personnel within the Tiffin Fire Division.

9.      The University of Findlay (Hancock County) – The university will receive $241,790 to provide 48 courses to emergency responders at their training facility and to travel to departments that request response training throughout Ohio.

The PUCO awards hazardous materials planning and training grants to local government subdivisions, educational institutions and state agencies in Ohio. Money for these grants comes from fines paid by hazardous material carriers and shippers. Individual grants are based upon applications to the PUCO and are awarded on a reimbursement basis.

The PUCO has regulatory authority to conduct audits, inspections, and safety reviews to evaluate the safety records, policies, and procedures of motor carriers, including hazardous materials carriers. The PUCO hazardous materials transportation program has been recognized by Battelle Memorial Institute as one of the best and most comprehensive such programs in the nation.

For more information about hazardous materials planning and training grants, please visit the motor carrier section of the PUCO Web site at www.PUCO.ohio.gov.

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