In the event of a hazmat incident that requires a telephone call, whom should you contact?

In the context of a hazmat incident, contacting the National Response Center is the correct course of action because this facility is the centralized agency for reporting hazardous materials spills and incidents. The National Response Center is equipped to handle reports of environmental emergencies, coordinate response efforts, and provide guidance on the appropriate steps to take during a hazmat incident.

While notifying your supervisor, local law enforcement, or the shipping company may seem important, these parties do not possess the same level of expertise or authority in handling hazardous material emergencies. Your supervisor may need to be informed, but they typically rely on established protocols that ultimately involve contacting the National Response Center. Law enforcement may assist in public safety or traffic control but are not primarily responsible for managing hazmat incidents. The shipping company plays a role in the logistics but does not represent the immediate emergency response framework that the National Response Center provides. Therefore, reaching out to the National Response Center ensures that the incident is reported correctly and that trained professionals are mobilized to address the situation promptly.