The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $100,000 through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Community Safety Grant program to implement Community Safety, Hazmat Information, Education, Leadership, and Development (Community SHIELD). The award will support a 24-month national initiative focused on strengthening hazardous materials transportation safety awareness, emergency preparedness, and community coordination.

Community SHIELD will build upon NPGA’s longstanding commitment to public safety and its extensive network of state and regional propane associations. Over the next two years, NPGA aims to reach approximately 3,000 participants through electronic and in-person training and outreach events. Approximately $80,000 in grant funding will be available for subawards to participating state and regional propane associations and other eligible partners supporting project activities.

Strengthening Community Preparedness Nationwide

Community SHIELD is designed to help communities better prepare for and respond to accidents and incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials, including Class 3 flammable liquids transported by rail. The initiative will emphasize preparedness planning, stakeholder coordination, and the dissemination of transportation safety best practices. The project will serve a broad range of public safety and community stakeholders, including volunteer and career firefighter chiefs, emergency managers, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) members, emergency medical services personnel, public works officials, community planners, local government representatives, and transportation stakeholders.

Particular attention will be given to rural and underserved communities, where access to specialized hazardous materials transportation safety information and preparedness resources may be limited.

Electronic instruction will serve as the primary delivery method, allowing NPGA and participating associations to reach communities nationwide while minimizing geographic and financial barriers. These electronic activities will be supplemented by a limited number of in-person community preparedness workshops and outreach events. Participants may engage in transportation corridor reviews, tabletop exercises, emergency planning discussions, case study reviews, and exchanges of preparedness strategies.

Developing Practical Safety Resources

During the first four months of the project, NPGA will work with state and regional associations, emergency response partners, transportation stakeholders, and subject matter experts to develop a comprehensive hazardous materials transportation safety awareness curriculum. Educational materials will address hazardous materials transportation systems, rail and highway transportation, commodity recognition, placarding and shipping documentation, emergency notification procedures, protective actions, evacuation and shelter-in-place planning, incident command awareness, and coordination among public and private stakeholders. The curriculum will also emphasize the roles of LEPCs, federal and state agencies, and local governments in supporting community preparedness.

Participating associations will have opportunities to tailor training examples and discussions to the transportation infrastructure, commodities, and preparedness needs of their respective regions. Materials developed through Community SHIELD will be designed for continued use beyond the grant period, helping participating communities sustain their preparedness efforts.

Opportunities for State and Regional Associations

The success of Community SHIELD will depend heavily on the participation and cooperation of NPGA’s state and regional propane association network. These organizations will play an important role in identifying communities with training needs, recruiting participants, coordinating outreach, and facilitating educational activities. NPGA will work with interested associations and organizations to evaluate potential subawards and develop appropriate training and outreach opportunities. Project locations will be selected based on factors including proximity to hazardous materials transportation corridors, community preparedness needs, rural accessibility, stakeholder interest, and opportunities to maximize participation.

Associations interested in conducting hazardous materials transportation safety training, supporting community outreach, or collaborating with emergency response organizations are encouraged to contact NPGA to discuss participation and potential subaward opportunities. Additionally, non-association subject matter experts, community safety leaders, and other interested parties are encouraged to reach out to NPGA and the state or regional propane association nearest them for partnership within Community SHIELD.

Building a Lasting Safety Legacy

Through Community SHIELD, NPGA seeks to strengthen relationships between the propane industry, emergency planners, local governments, and communities across the country. By improving access to preparedness resources and encouraging coordination before incidents occur, the project will help communities develop a stronger understanding of hazardous materials transportation risks and appropriate response considerations.

Additional information about PHMSA’s FY2026 grant awards is available through the official award listing and PHMSA’s public announcement.

Any party interested in submitting a subaward application to Community SHIELD or partnering with NPGA and its affiliates, is encouraged to reach out to NPGA’s grants and agency engagement manager, Nicholas Edward, at nedward@npga.org.

NPGA

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