Public Safety Committee defers HMEP hazardous‑materials training grant pending date clarification

The Chautauqua County Public Safety Committee on August (date not specified) deferred action on a proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant after committee members flagged an unclear grant term.

Noel Gottman, director of Emergency Services, told the committee the HMEP award is a recurring federal/state grant the county uses to fund training for fire first responders, with recent emphasis on incidents involving electric vehicles and battery fires. "This grant goes towards all educational opportunities for the fire service. Open to all the fire service," Gottman said.

Committee members noted the grant form listed a term from December 2023 to June 2025, which appeared to fall outside the expected cycle. The chair and members asked for clarification about whether an extension or different fiscal-year labeling applied. Gottman said he would get clarification and bring the corrected dates to Audit and Control the following day.

Committee members also asked whether local vendors could provide training instead of national speakers. Gottman said the county typically contracts with national, nationally certified vendors found at conferences but would consider local or regional providers if they met vendor requirements; he noted some Buffalo‑area firms have provided services in the past.

Committee discussion noted a required in‑kind local match of $4,000, which Gottman described as the administrative work needed to administer the grant. The committee voted to defer the proposed resolution to Audit and Control for clarification rather than take action at the meeting.

The committee did not approve or reject the HMEP resolution at the meeting; the matter was referred for date and scope clarification and will return to Audit and Control for action.