As reported by the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the deadline to apply for the 2024 CHEMTREC® HELP (Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness) Award has been extended to September 6.
This program provides an opportunity for volunteer fire departments across the United States to apply for a $10,000 grant aimed at enhancing their hazardous materials response capabilities.
The award is available to six volunteer fire departments that are also members of the NVFC.
The awards are part of a collaboration between CHEMTREC and the NVFC, designed to support fire departments in preparing for hazardous materials incidents.
CHEMTREC, known for its 24/7 call center support and information services during such emergencies, has partnered with several organizations, including the American Chemistry Council, Dow, and LyondellBasell, to sponsor these grants.
To be eligible for the CHEMTREC HELP Award, departments must meet specific criteria.
The department must be composed of over 50% volunteers and serve a population of 25,000 or less.
Additionally, the department’s funding for the most recently completed fiscal year should not exceed $250,000.
If the department is part of a city fire department, it must operate as a separate 501(c) organization with independently maintained finances.
Applicants must be based in the United States and legally organized under state law.
Tribal entities recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs are also eligible to apply.
The department’s chief or the individual applying must be a member of the NVFC.
Only one application per department is allowed, and past recipients must wait five years before reapplying.
The application process requires departments to demonstrate their need for the grant by detailing how they would use the funds to improve their hazmat response capabilities.
This includes describing the specific equipment, resources, or training that would be purchased or attended.
Applications will be reviewed by an expert panel selected by CHEMTREC and the NVFC.
The panel will choose six volunteer fire departments to receive the $10,000 awards.
Selected departments must use the funds solely for increasing hazmat response capabilities and agree to allow their department name and details from their application to be used in media promoting the award program.
The 2024 HELP Awards are sponsored by CHEMTREC, the American Chemistry Council, Dow, and LyondellBasell.
CHEMTREC will sponsor three awards nationwide, while the American Chemistry Council will sponsor one award nationwide.
Dow’s sponsorship is focused on departments in Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas, and LyondellBasell will sponsor an award specifically for departments in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and Texas.
The extended deadline provides additional time for eligible volunteer fire departments to submit their applications and potentially secure crucial funding for their hazmat preparedness needs.
The application form is available on the NVFC website, and interested departments are encouraged to apply before the September 6 deadline.
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced an extension of the application deadline for the 2024 CHEMTREC® HELP Award to September 6.
This program offers six $10,000 grants to U.S. volunteer fire departments that meet specific eligibility criteria.
Departments must demonstrate a need for the funds to enhance their hazardous materials response capabilities.
Sponsors of the awards include CHEMTREC, the American Chemistry Council, Dow, and LyondellBasell, with awards available nationwide and regionally.
Applications are reviewed by a panel, and successful applicants must use the funds exclusively for hazmat preparedness.
