Who do you have to contact if you have a chemical spill?

Who do you have to contact if you have a chemical spill?

• A. Local sheriff
• B. Environmental Protection Agency
• C. Washington Emergency Management Division (1-800-258-5990)
• D. Local health department

Answer: (C)

Reporting a chemical spill requires contacting the agency that coordinates state-level HazMat response in Washington. The Washington Emergency Management Division (their 1-800-258-5990 line) is the point of contact to quickly mobilize the right responders, coordinate containment, and notify the appropriate state agencies. The EPA is a federal agency that handles nationwide environmental matters and is not the first point of contact for a typical state spill. Local sheriff involvement is mainly for law enforcement and scene security, while the local health department focuses on public health concerns rather than coordinating the HazMat response. So calling the Washington Emergency Management Division ensures the spill is reported to the right people who can manage the emergency response.

Reporting a chemical spill requires contacting the agency that coordinates state-level HazMat response in Washington. The Washington Emergency Management Division (their 1-800-258-5990 line) is the point of contact to quickly mobilize the right responders, coordinate containment, and notify the appropriate state agencies. The EPA is a federal agency that handles nationwide environmental matters and is not the first point of contact for a typical state spill. Local sheriff involvement is mainly for law enforcement and scene security, while the local health department focuses on public health concerns rather than coordinating the HazMat response. So calling the Washington Emergency Management Division ensures the spill is reported to the right people who can manage the emergency response.