Notification
ResponsibilityAll businesses are required to provide an immediate, verbal report of any accidental
release or threatened release of a hazardous material to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Hazardous Material Services
Section and to the State Office of Emergency Services. This is required when a person has knowledge of the release or threatened release,
and the notification can be provided without impeding immediate control of the release.
 HOW? If you have a release that requires
emergency response, call 911. A spill that can be managed by the facility is considered an incident, while a large release or a release
involving injured or unconscious personnel requires emergency responders. The information you provide to the dispatcher will assist them
in determining the response level (i.e. single fire engine, a multi-engine response, the hazardous materials unit, etc.).
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Fed, State & Local Requirements
Pursuant to Title 42 of the United States
Code, Section 11004(c), a business shall prepare a written emergency release follow-up notice within 30 days of a release.
The immediate verbal report of any release or threatened release must be reported to the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES).
OES can be reached at (800) 852-7550 or (916) 262-1621. A control number will then be issued by OES. If you are unclear or the reporting
requirements, OES has a Spill/Release Notification Guidance booklet.
Contact your Administering Agency, the Hazardous Materials Services Section (HMSS) of the OCFA. If you utilized the 911 system to
obtain a response, you have met the notification requirement. If not, you need to contact us at (714) 573-6250 during regular hours, or
at (714) 573-6270 any time.
A notification flow chart has been provided to assist you in meeting the reporting requirements. |
Notification Flow Chart
Click here for a larger version. |
Incident vs Emergency
 A
hazardous materials incident is a spill or release that can be absorbed, neutralized, or otherwise controlled at the time of the
release. Generally, the substance can be controlled by the employees in the immediate area or by maintenance personnel and there are no
immediate safety or health hazards.
A hazardous materials emergency requires emergency responders, my requires response from different regulating agencies,
results in an actual or potential uncontrolled release, and/or causes danger to employees requiring immediate d medical attention. This
requires dialing 911. |