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The National Directory of EMS Technical Assistance Providers ("TAP Directory") allows companies and local governments, wanting to develop or improve their EMSs, to easily locate nonprofit technical assistance providers and EMS state and federal programs.
The TAP Directory includes four types of EMS technical assistance programs (TAP Types):
Direct Technical Assistance
Referral Services
State EMS Programs
Recognition Programs
Includes nonprofit, government, or academic Technical Assistance Providers that offer direct technical assistance to organizations wanting to implement or revise an existing EMS. Direct EMS assistance ranges from individual EMS component assistance (i.e aspect analysis, auditing, gap analysis, or training) to assistance in implementing a full-blown EMS.
Includes programs and contacts that can provide referral services to regional and national nonprofit, government or academic Technical Assistance Providers that can further assist an organization in implementing and/or revising an EMS. These organizations and programs are actively involved in the EMS field and can assist with locating specific EMS assistance and/or expertise within a state or region.
Includes state-specific programs that have been established to facilitate the use and implementation of EMS, within a respective state, as a fundamental means for facilities or organizations to move "beyond compliance". Such programs include incentives, access to technical assistance, information clearinghouses (i.e. manuals, guides, training materials), Pilot Projects, and sponsored activities such as meetings, workshops, and networking functions.
Includes national and state recognition programs that contain a significant EMS component. These programs recognize and reward facilities and organizations that utilize EMS as a means of demonstrating environmental leadership and going "beyond compliance". The recognition programs generally offer some degree of regulatory flexibility, state-wide recognition, and association with workshops, conferences, and networking opportunities as rewards for program participation.