PUCO Approves Hazardous Waste Training Grant for Chagrin Valley

CHAGRIN VALLEY, OH - The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved three hazardous materials training grants totaling $19,800. The grants will be used to train approximately 327 hazardous material incident response professionals.

The PUCO plays an important role in ensuring that motor carriers are safely transporting hazardous materials throughout Ohio. Through the PUCO’s hazardous materials training grant program, public safety and emergency services personnel across Ohio are awarded grants for training to best respond to incidents related to hazardous materials.

The PUCO awarded the following grants:

• Chagrin Southeast Council of Governments Cuyahoga County/Chagrin Southeast Hazmat Team – The council will receive $12,000 to assist with the presentation of the 2016 Ohio Hazardous Materials Teams Conference. Approximately 300 hazardous materials specialists and technicians from 45 public agencies will attend the conference.
• Delaware County Emergency Management Agency – The agency will receive $2,500 to conduct a Hazmat Technician course to train approximately 15 personnel of the Delaware Area Response Team.
• Village of Payne Fire Department – The agency will receive $5,300 to conduct a Hazmat Technician course to train approximately 12 department personnel.

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 of such programs in the nation.

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