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Emergency Response Fund (ERF) FAQs

AZSERC

Emergency Response Fund (ERF) FAQs

Revised On: Oct. 19, 2023 - 11:00 a.m.

Emergency Response Fund (ERF) provides life safety equipment to first responders who encounter HAZMAT incidents/accidents. Here are some frequently asked questions about ERF. 

 

The ERF is funded annually in accordance to Arizona Revised Statues (ARS) § 49-132 through State appropriation in the amount of $132, 800.  This amount is set in statute.

Those eligible to apply for the ERF are first responders:

  • Firefighters and law enforcement, including all Tribal fire departments and law enforcement (there is no requirement to be designated HAZMAT teams)
  • Emergency management office personnel that respond to HAZMAT incidents and on-scene coordinators
  • Supporting agencies that respond to HAZMAT incidents (public health departments, counties and cities)

Letters announcing the opportunity and instructions on how to apply for the ERF are sent to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), County Emergency Managers, Tribes and fire departments between July 1 and September 1.

The award criteria is based on relative importance and maximum benefit/impact enabling the ERF recipient to protect responders and/or the public.  This fund is for HAZMAT equipment only.

 

If you did not receive a letter notifying you about the ERF, you may call 602-771-0397 or send an email > 

The awarded amount for the ERF is evenly distributed to participating entities based upon criteria eligibility. Requests must be related to hazardous material incidents and meet criteria such as:

  • Tyvek suits, boots and glove
  • Gas monitors, calibration gases and kits
  • Overpack and spill kits
  • Containment pools, SCBA bottles, masks, replacement sensors, F500 foam, Micro Blaze, class A and B foam

The process is as follows:

  1. ERF announcement letters are sent to LEPCs, County Emergency Managers, Tribes and fire departments between July 1 and September 1
  2. The application period is for 45 days from date of the announcement
  3. The applications are reviewed by ADEQ Emergency Response Unit staff for relevant criteria
  4. Non-criteria items and any requests that exceed the funding amount per entity are excluded
  5. Award and Non-Award letters are sent to applicants by the first week of November to participating entities