Regional Emergency Planning Committee Offering Training Grants

July 21, 2006
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Tammy Snodgrass or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993

REGIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE OFFERING TRAINING GRANTS TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Grant deadline is Sept. 15.

ST. JAMES—The Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee is now accepting hazardous materials training grant applications from local fire departments, announced Dawn Warren, chairman of the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee.

The MREPC has set aside $7,000 and is offering grants to fire departments in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Osage and Washington counties. The maximum grant request is set at $1,000, and no match is required.

Only fire departments are eligible to apply. Those fire departments who do not have a current data sheet on file with MREPC are ineligible for grant funding.

Those applying for grant funds are encouraged to develop county-wide training opportunities, focusing on hazardous materials and involving all emergency response agencies, explained Tammy Snodgrass, environmental programs manager for Meramec Regional Planning Commission. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with a deadline of Sept. 15, 2006, for applications. The committee hopes to make at least one grant in each county. The MREPC will be announced later in September. Grant recipients are expected to complete their training projects by June 15, 2007.

Grant information, as well as the application, is available on-line (click here) at www.meramecregion.org or by contacting MRPC at 573-265-2993 or emailing Tammy Snodgrass at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.

The Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee 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.

Dawn Warren, Gasconade County Emergency Management Director, chairs the group. The committee meets quarterly, and meetings are open to the public. Persons needing more information 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.