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Module 3 |
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The National Response Center
One example of an emergency situation is a sudden, uncontrolled release of a substance that can cause harm to humans or the environment. Many federal, state and local authorities are involved in the management of emergency situations, but the sole federal point of contact is the
National Response Center (NRC): 1-800-424 8802.
On average, 2000 large and small incidents are reported monthly, among them earthquakes; hurricanes; oilspills; chemical releases (including radionuclides); transportation accidents; gas and liquid pipeline releases; discharges from HW treatment and storage facilities; and newly found abandoned dump sites. The NCR serves as the communications and operations center for the National Response Team (NRT). Depending on the site and type of accident, different task forces from federal agencies are activated: for example the Coast Guard provides Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSC) for spills in coastal areas and major navigable waterways, whereas for inland areas EPA provides the FOSC.
As a spill is reported to the NRC, it is entered in the Incident Reporting Information System (IRIS) - all reports are public, and can be viewed and searched!
“Here is a summary of the number of incidents reported to the NRC
from 1997 to 2004: http://www.nrc.uscg.mil/incident97-02.html”
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In 2004, what percentage of the incidents originated from:
Keep in mind - this statistic does not give information on the magnitude of the accident/spill! |
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Module 3
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