Cass County EMA receives funding to bolster HAZMAT preparedness and response

Last Updated on November 7, 2023 by Cass County Emergency Management Agency

LOGANSPORT, IN – Cass County Emergency Management Agency has received more than $20,000 in grants to support HAZMAT Training in 2024.

EMA has received $16,085.00 from the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Program administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. These funds will provide new level a training suits and textbooks for the upcoming HAZMAT Technician course. It will also fund an Incident Management for Train Derailments course to be delivered to area responders in 2024. More details will be released once scheduling is confirmed with the training provider. The anticipated delivery date for the derailment course will be April or May 2024.

EMA has received $4,000.00 from the Duke Energy Foundation. This will provide additional materials and props for the technician training program. This is the second year in a row the Duke Energy Foundation has made a significant contribution to the EMA Training Program. Rocky Buffum, Director of Emergency Management, reports the agency would not be able to make the training programs and resources that they do available to the community without the strong continued support of community partners.

EMA continues to seek out grants and foundation sponsorship to add new programs and capabilities without requesting additional tax dollars.

The next HAZMAT Technician Course begins in January 2024. EMA aims to continue to not only increase the number of personnel trained to handle chemical emergencies in the community, but also to continue increasing the equipment and resources available to help those personnel in that endeavor. Details, including sign up information, can be found on the EMA facebook page. Those interested in more information can also email ema@co.cass.in.us.

SOURCE: News release from Cass County Emergency Management Agency