COLUMBUS, OHIO (Sept. 4, 2024) — The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has announced the awarding of $800,000 in hazardous materials training grants to 27 recipients across the state. This funding aims to enhance the preparedness of emergency response personnel for handling hazardous materials incidents.
PUCO Chair Jenifer French highlighted the significance of the grants, stating, “Hazardous materials training grants will provide thousands of emergency response personnel with valuable training to adequately respond to emergencies across Ohio.”
The grants are part of PUCO’s annual program designed to support educational institutions and local governments in training emergency responders. The following organizations have been awarded grants:
- Belmont County EMA: $6,500 to train 170 personnel through two courses.
- Bowling Green Fire Department: $17,780 for various training courses, including a train-the-trainer course.
- CEPAC (Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security): $22,950 for a 40-hour tactical chemistry course for 25 personnel.
- Chagrin/Southeast Council of Governments: $19,500 to fund the 2024 Ohio Hazmat Teams Conference.
- Cincinnati State Technical and Community College: $50,304.18 for various training courses serving approximately 950 students.
- City of Green Fire Department: $9,150 for a hazmat refresher course for 61 personnel.
- City of Mason Fire Department/Northeast Fire Collaborative: $19,350 for a lithium-ion battery training course for 90 personnel.
- City of Toledo, Division of Environment Services: $15,000 for various training courses.
- Cleveland State University: $400,000 to offer 87 classes in various hazmat topics for 700-1,400 students.
- City of Columbus, Division of Fire: $12,500 for a joint hazard assessment team course for 30 personnel.
- County Line Joint Fire District: $3,880 for a hazmat refresher course for 15 personnel.
- Green Perrysville Joint Fire District: $3,880 for a hazmat refresher course for 15 personnel.
- Hamilton County Local Emergency Planning Committee: $8,825 for an anhydrous hydrogen fluoride training and hazmat course for 90 personnel.
- Jackson Township Fire Department: $2,750 for a lithium-ion battery emergency training for 50 personnel.
- Lorain County Emergency Management Agency: $6,200 for various hazmat training courses for 120 personnel.
- Macedonia Fire Department: $16,200 for hazmat refresher and spill response training for 80 personnel.
- Macedonia Police Department Dispatch: $3,750 for hazmat training for 20 dispatchers.
- Miami Township Fire and EMS/Milford Community Fire Department: $10,350 for hazmat training for 114 personnel.
- Newark Township Fire Department: $3,800 for a confined space with hazmat rescue course for 20 personnel.
- Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District: $5,800 for a hazmat waste emergency response course for 49 personnel.
- Perrysburg Township Fire & EMS: $11,900 for compressed natural gas and electric vehicle battery response training for 60 personnel.
- Pickaway County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency/Fairfield County Emergency Management Agency: $19,000 for two hazmat courses for 24 personnel.
- Summit County Special Operations Response Team-Hazmat Branch: $18,550 for corrosives response and hazmat annual refresher training for 120 personnel.
- Tallmadge Fire Department/Mogadore Fire Department: $8,625 for lithium-ion response training for 60 personnel.
- University of Findlay: $58,885 for various hazmat and rail response courses.
- Wayne County Regional Training Facility: $39,885 for various hazmat training courses.
- Wooster Division of Fire: $6,050 for a hazmat refresher course for 47 personnel.
The grants are funded by fines collected from hazardous materials carriers and shippers. These funds are used to train public safety and emergency services personnel in managing hazardous materials spills and releases.
For further information on hazardous materials training and resources for first responders, visit the Ohio Department of Commerce website.
