PROJECT STAFF:	George Little, Jr., Emergency Systems Development Coordinator
PROJECT PERIOD:	October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003
FUNDING SOURCES:	Public Sector Training and Planning Grant Program for Native American Tribes, U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Special Program Administration

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Program is to create a better awareness among tribal communities of the importance of a chemical emergency response plan, training, and assist in facilitating the development and permanent establishment of a Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC). The TERC will protect tribal health and safety and maintain the goal of a contaminant free environment. The HMEP grant is primarily directed to the ten (10) Tribal governments listed. However, it is the policy of ITCA that all 21 federally recognized tribes in Arizona are extended any clearinghouse information that may be of assistance to their communities in developing infrastructure and environmental programs to improve safety and to protect their people.

The HMEP Program partnership includes the Tribal governments listed below:

• Cocopah Tribe
• Colorado River Indian Tribes
• Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
• Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
• Gila River Indian Community
• Kaibab-Paiute Tribe
• Navajo Nation
• San Carlos Apache Tribe
• Tonto Apache Tribe
• White Mountain Apache Tribe

• Provide chemical emergency response awareness and training.
• Support the development and establishment of TERC/LEPC.
• Provide specific training and technical support to Tribal communities with little or no emergency preparedness.
• Provide training in SARA Title III regulations for response to hazardous materials incidents.
• Support the development of a Tribal Emergency response plan and communication network.

• Emergency Planning Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) 3-Hour Presentation. This workshop style presentation is directed toward tribal leaders, community representatives, police, fire, health care, emergency medical and tribal planning departments. The purpose is to assist tribal communities in planning for hazardous material incidents.
• First Responder Awareness (FRA) 8-Hour Training. This training is for tribal representatives who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release and who have been trained to initiate an emergency response notification process. The primary hazmat responsibility is to secure the incident site, recognize and identify the materials involved and make appropriate notifications.
• First On-Scene Operations (FOSO) 16-Hour Training. This course is designed for persons not issued a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus or personal protective equipment (PPE), who may be the first at the scene of a release or potential release of hazardous substances. This course is intended for tribal police, forest service, highway workers, public works, tribal rangers, and ambulance crews.
• First Responder Operations (FRO) 24-Hour Training. This course is designed for individuals who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as a part of the initial response to protect nearby human health, property, and environment.
• Site Incident Commander (SIC) 24-Hour Training. This course is designed for individuals who will assume control of the incident scene. The First Responder Operations or First On-Scene Operations training is a prerequisite to this course.