Section 12-84-105 - Powers and dutiesThe State Office of Hazardous Materials Emergency Management shall:
(1) Collect, file, and establish an accessible database and make available information derived from the required reports in 42 U.S.C. §§ 11022 and 11023, and in accordance with the laws, regulations, and guidelines established by the federal government and the State of Arkansas;(2) Establish, staff, and manage an administrative, fiscal, and operational office to manage all programs and funds required under this chapter and in accordance with the current, accepted practices prescribed by the State of Arkansas and participating federal agencies;(3) Establish and manage a system to train and certify emergency first responders at the minimum prescribed levels of competency and proficiency as required by federal or state law or regulation;(4) Assist, as requested or directed by the State Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Commission's local emergency planning committees in meeting the minimum standards for planning, training, or exercising as required under the provisions of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq.;(5) Establish a system to certify local emergency planning committees as being in compliance with required actions and activities, as prescribed by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq., and other governing directives, laws, or regulations;(6) Manage federal or state funding programs that provide direct fiscal assistance to certified local emergency planning committees for planning, training, exercising, or administration, to ensure program and fiscal compliance with current federal and state law;(7) Perform, manage, and oversee such other hazardous or toxic materials emergency management-related functions as may later be implemented, as directed by the Governor, the commission, and other state authority;(8) Collect and administer fees provided in this chapter and such federal funding as may be specifically earmarked for the program of the office, in accordance with current federal and state laws, regulations, and rules and as recommended by the commission to ensure minimum compliance with federal mandates related to hazardous or toxic materials emergency preparedness;(9) Provide a point of contact for state agencies, offices, and bureaus to assist with the coordination of specific emergency planning and training and other hazardous or toxic materials emergency management-related activities;(10) Provide direct emergency management support to local emergency planning committees to assist them with local hazardous or toxic materials emergency management activities and to assist them with reaching and maintaining compliance with federal mandates for these programs; and(11) Manage, as designated by the Governor or the commission, such other hazardous or toxic materials emergency management programs as may later be mandated by federal or state law, regulation, or guidance.