Through this grant opportunity, PHMSA solicits competitive applications from eligible organizations for Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) grant funds. Properly planned and maintained training programs are essential to ensuring that emergency responders who receive training under the grant will have the ability to protect nearby persons, property, and the environment from the effects of accidents or incidents involving the transportation of hazardous material in accordance with existing regulations or National Fire Protection standards for competence of responders to accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials.