Short Line Safety Institute awarded hazmat training grant

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has awarded $4 million in grants for instructor training, including $500,000 to the Short Line Safety Institute, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced yesterday.

The grants fall under the federal Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT) and Supplemental Public Sector Training (SPST) programs for fiscal-year 2017, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation press release.

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

"These grants are force multipliers in helping communities get more local first responders and employees prepared for transportation incidents involving hazardous materials," said Chao.

The Short Line Safety Institute received an HMIT grant.

"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.