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Aug. 22, 2008 For more information, contact: Emergency Planning Committee To Lose Training Grant Funds ST. JAMES—For several years now, the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee has awarded thousands of dollars to local fire departments for hazardous materials training. Those local training grants may be ending because the state of Missouri has decided to allocate funds differently, which will result in less funds at the local level. The group voted to send a letter to the Missouri Emergency Response Commission (MERC) voicing their dissatisfaction with the restructuring that includes the state retaining a larger portion of the training dollars. The group also plans to meet with MERC representatives. Local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) across the state receive funding from two sources, said Tammy Snodgrass, administrator for the MREPC. First, companies that store hazardous materials in certain quantities must report that information to the MERC, and a filing fee is charged based on the types and quantities of materials stored. A portion of those fees are allocated back out to the LEPCs. In 2006-2007, the MREPC received $19,165; this year, the committee received $20,551—an increase of some $1,386—because the state identified some companies that were not reporting; therefore the increase in funding. The second source of funds is a federal grant to the state that in the past has been allocated out to the LEPCs based on federal highway miles within the area. These funds are to be used for hazardous materials planning and training. The MREPC had used the funds to set up its fire department training grant program that provided $1,000 to $1,500 for hazmat training grants to fire departments. These federal HMEP funds have increased from $266,548 awarded to Missouri in 2007 to $455,470 in 2008. Of that, $306,211 is allocated for training and $149,259 is set aside for planning. The MERC still plans to pass on the planning funds at a formula of approximately $1,000 per county within the LEPC, but the training funds will end, Snodgrass explained. For MREPC, that is a loss of about $4,800 per year—which represents the bulk of its training grant program. The increase in the other source of funding does not offset the loss. MERC minutes from its April 9 meeting indicated that the committee voted to restructure the federal funds by “distributing equally between counties.” Snodgrass said it was her understanding that the MERC plans to direct the bulk of the training money to the Missouri University Fire Resource Institute for state fire school, and LEPCs would be able to apply to host regional trainings. MREPC members pointed out that it is sometimes difficult for volunteer firefighters to travel to Jefferson City or Columbia to participate in state fire school. These trainings are more expensive and take firefighters away from their departments, which are typically short on fire personnel. The MREPC training grant program allowed the fire department to hire qualified trainers at a reasonable cost, have the training at its station and invite neighboring department. “We have trained a lot of firefighters in hazardous materials firefighting over the years, and we have done it cost effectively without a great deal of travel and expense,” said Snodgrass.“ Under our program, we have been able to train entire departments. It is unlikely that an entire department can attend state fire school or even attend a regional training. With this change in policy, our rural fire departments here in the Meramec Region are going to have fewer training opportunities available to them, and being prepared for hazmat emergencies will be an even greater challenge.” The MERC is headed by Executive Director Dawn Warren, former chairman of the MREPC. Last fiscal year, MREPC set aside $7,000 for grants to fire departments in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Osage and Washington counties. The MREPC budget, which runs July 1 through June 30, 2009, does not include the training grant program. In other business, the committee voted to retain Chairman Kraig Bone of Washington County and Vice Chair Margaret Biolsi of Phelps County. The group approved its 2008-2009 budget with revenues of $28,063.28 and expenses of $28,715, leaving a $615 deficient to be covered by reserve funds. The new budget began July 1. The committee also approved the annual report and the revised Hazardous Materials Emergency Response plan for submission to the MERC. Emergency response agencies were provided copies of the updated plan at the last meeting and were asked to forward needed to changes to MRPC. The Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee, formed in August 1987, periodically coordinates and offers education and training opportunities for emergency responders in the region. The purpose of the committee is to work with local governments as well as the private sector to maintain plans responsive to chemical hazards that seriously threaten the area. The committee, lead by Chairman Kraig Bone of Washington County, meets quarterly, and meetings are open to the public. Persons needing more information on the MREPC or chemicals in the region may contact MRPC at (573) 265-2993. The planning commission, a voluntary council of local governments serving the Meramec Region, provides staff support for the local emergency planning committee. |