SPEECH AS WRITTEN FOR DELIVERY BY
VADM THOMAS J. BARRETT, USCG (RET.)
ADMINISTRATOR
PIPELINE & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

ARIZONA HMEP GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION EMERGENCY TRAINING FACILITY
TEMPE, AZ
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2006

Thank you Mr. Kane for that very kind introduction and to you and your SW Gas employees for hosting our grant announcement today.

I would also like to thank

• Congressman J.D. Hayworth,
• John Rowlinson, Arizona State Fire Marshal,
• Roger Soden, Arizona Emergency Response Commission, and
• Cynthia Naha, Inter Tribal Council of Arizona for participating in our event.

Before I begin, let me take a minute to recognize Mr. Kane and Southwest Gas for their leadership, service and commitment to pipeline safety through their efforts in advancing distribution integrity management, operator qualification and preparing emergency responders.

I am here today because Congressman Hayworth told me he knows of an outstanding emergency response training facility here in Tempe. Coincidentally this facility just happens to be the very same one used to create the Pipeline Emergencies training video sponsored by the National Association of State Fire Marshals and PHMSA. Congressman Hayworth has high praise for the employees here and the work they do to ensure individuals are well trained to safely respond to natural gas emergencies.

The nation’s first responders are the unsung heroes who ensure the safety of citizens in responding to incidents involving natural gas and other hazardous materials.

So, on behalf of the Bush Administration, and Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, I’d like to tell you that we greatly appreciate the dedication of the first responder community for risking your lives every day.

I am also here today to announce two DOT Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grants. One to the state of Arizona in the amount of 183,283 dollars and the other in the amount of 160,000 dollars to the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona. These grants will fund hazardous materials emergency preparedness planning and training activities for first responders at the state, county and local level and within Arizona’s tribal communities.

This is exactly what the HMEP Grants Program was established to do…, to improve the safety and security of our communities by providing funding for hazmat training and preparedness. Thank you, Congressman Hayworth, for your strong leadership in Congress to ensure that this Program is fully funded and available to our first responders.

The safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials is a big job, and the Federal government can’t do it alone. We rely heavily on the trained and fearless group of professional fire fighters, police, and other first responders found in local fire departments, like those here in Maricopa County. Our hope is that the funds we provide to the State of Arizona and its Tribal communities continue to flow down to the county and local community emergency preparedness units that need the hazmat training and planning the most.

Together with the help of your representatives in Congress, and the brave men and women on the front lines of emergency response, we can advance the safety and security of our transportation systems.

Now I would like to offer the floor to Congressman Hayworth.