Strengthening Community Hazmat Preparedness and Response
The IAFC Community Safety Program helps fire departments, emergency managers and community partners better understand hazardous materials risks and strengthen their ability to prepare for and respond to hazmat transportation incidents.
Supported through the Community Safety Grant (CSG) from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the program advances practical tools, resources and collaborative initiatives that improve hazardous materials planning, preparedness and response.
About the Community Safety Grant
The Community Safety Grant is a competitive federal grant program designed to strengthen community preparedness for hazardous materials transportation incidents and support personnel responsible for the safe transportation of hazardous materials.
The IAFC applies for CSG funding annually and works with the IAFC Hazardous Materials Committee, subject matter experts and partner organizations to identify emerging needs and develop practical solutions for the fire and emergency service.
Through this work, the IAFC helps communities:
- Identify and better understand local hazardous materials risks.
- Strengthen hazmat preparedness and emergency planning.
- Improve operational decision-making.
- Connect responders and planners with training and technical resources.
- Encourage collaboration and information sharing across the hazmat community.
- Use incident and response data to inform preparedness and risk-reduction efforts.
Hazmat Resources and Training Toolkit
The Community Safety Grant funding has supported the development of the IAFC Hazmat Resources and Training Toolkit, providing first responders and emergency planners with access to hazmat training information and operational resources.
The toolkit helps agencies find resources that can support training, planning, preparedness and response activities within their departments and communities.
Explore the Hazmat Resources and Training Toolkit
Developing the Hazmat Risk Index
The IAFC’s current Community Safety Grant award is supporting the development of an alpha version of the Hazmat Risk Index, an initiative designed to help communities better identify, understand and evaluate hazardous materials risks.
The goal is to provide fire and emergency service leaders, emergency managers and community stakeholders with better information to support:
- Risk identification and assessment.
- Emergency response planning.
- Resource and capability planning.
- Training and preparedness priorities.
- Data-informed decision-making.
- Community risk-reduction strategies.
By improving visibility into local hazmat risks, the initiative can help agencies make more informed decisions about how they prepare for hazardous materials incidents.
Supporting Safer, More Prepared Communities
Through the Community Safety Program, the IAFC is working to give first responders, emergency managers and community stakeholders the knowledge, tools, data and partnerships needed to better understand hazardous materials risks and strengthen preparedness nationwide.
By connecting federal resources with fire service expertise and local needs, the program helps communities move from understanding their risks to taking informed action.