Which agencies should ECC notify when a Haz-Mat response is needed?

• A. ECC of need for Haz-Mat response and notify Health Department, OES, and National Response Center
• B. Notify only Fire Department
• C. Notify Health Department only
• D. Notify Environmental Protection Agency

Answer: (A)

When a Haz-Mat incident occurs, the immediate priority is to bring in the right expertise and oversight from health, state, and federal levels. The ECC should recognize the need for Haz-Mat response and promptly notify the Health Department to address any public health risks and medical aspects, call in the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to coordinate state resources and incident management, and report to the National Response Center (NRC) to trigger federal awareness and response for hazardous substances releases. This combination ensures medical guidance and public health protections are in place, state-level coordination and support are mobilized, and federal reporting requirements are met for significant releases. Relying on only one agency misses critical lines of authority and can delay or weaken the overall response. EPA involvement or notifying only the Fire Department does not provide the full spectrum of needed oversight and regulatory action in most Haz-Mat events.