What To Do If You See A Spill

If you see a spill happen, or see evidence of an active spill:

First, make sure that you and other bystanders are safe, and that you will not make any contact with the spill including breathing in any fumes from vapor clouds.

Make sure that you can safely leave the area, and be sure to avoid any slips, trips or falls while you safely move away from the spill area.

Once you are safely removed from the spill area, contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

The Center is staffed 24 hours a day and is the designated federal point of contact for all types of spills. Center staff will notify all appropriate responders and gather information to support the spill response effort.

Be prepared to provide as much of the following information as you can to the Center:

1. Your name and contact information

2. Time and date of your observation

3. Location of the spill

4. Source of the spill, if you can determine it, and/or type of substance that is spilling.
5. Any agencies or individuals that you observed responding to the incident, including any injuries.

You can also contact your nearest NPS staff to share the same information. The National Response Center will also contact appropriate local spill response professionals.