Notification and Request for Technical Information

Follow the steps outlined in your organization’s standard operating procedures and/or local emergency response plan for obtaining qualified assistance. Generally, the notification sequence and requests for technical information beyond what is available in this guidebook should occur in the following order:

1. NOTIFY YOUR ORGANIZATION/AGENCY
• Based on information provided, this will set in motion a series of events
• Actions may range from dispatching additional trained personnel to the scene, to activating the local emergency response plan
• Ensure that local fire and police departments have been notified
2. CALL THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TELEPHONE NUMBER ON THE SHIPPING DOCUMENT
• If shipping paper is not available, use guidance under next section “NATIONAL ASSISTANCE”
3. NATIONAL ASSISTANCE
• Contact the appropriate emergency response agency listed on the inside backcover of this guidebook
• Provide as much information about the hazardous material and the nature of the incident
• The agency will provide immediate advice on handling the early stages of the incident
• The agency will also contact the shipper or manufacturer of the material for more detailed information if necessary
• The agency will request on-scene assistance when necessary
4. PROVIDE AS MUCH OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE:
• Your name, call-back telephone number, FAX number
• Location and nature of problem (spill, fire, etc.)
• Name and identification number of material(s) involved
• Shipper/consignee/point-of-origin
• Carrier name, railcar or truck number
• Container type and size
• Quantity of material transported/released
• Local conditions (weather,terrain)
• Proximity to schools, hospitals, waterways, etc.
• Injuries and exposures
• Local emergency services that have been notified