In the event of a hazardous substance spill, who should be contacted?

Contacting the National Response Center is crucial in the event of a hazardous substance spill, as it serves as the federal point of contact for reporting such incidents. This center operates under the authority of the Coast Guard and is responsible for coordinating federal response efforts to spills of oil and hazardous substances, ensuring that the appropriate agencies are notified and can take action to mitigate the situation.

Although the other agencies play important roles in safety and environmental protection, they are not primarily designated for immediate reporting of hazardous spills. The local fire department might respond to the spill and handle emergency situations, while the Environmental Protection Agency focuses on environmental regulation and cleanup after the fact. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration deals with workplace safety and health issues but is not involved in the immediate response to hazardous spills. Therefore, the National Response Center is the correct entity to contact for initial and immediate reporting.