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The State Warning Point is the central coordinating point for
Hazardous Materials spills or releases in the State of Florida. The State Warning Point
coordinates with
other sections in the Department of Community Affairs as well as state and federal
agencies for response and handling of these incidents.
Emergency Release Notification
Information
Section 304 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know
Act (EPCRA) requires certain releases of chemicals to be reported
by the facility owner or operator. There are two types of chemicals
that require reporting under this section:
Extremely Hazardous Subsances (EHS's); and Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
hazardous substances.
Both the EHSs and the CERCLA hazardous substances are found
in the "Title
III Consolidated List of Chemicals."
If an amount equal to, or greater than, the reportable quantity (RQ) is released or
spilled from a fixed facility, notification must be made immediately to the SERC and LEPC
by calling (850) 413-9911 or (800) 320-0519 (this telephone is answered 24 hours a day and
is an EMERGENCY number only). An RQ is the amount which requires notification if released
into the environment (air, water or land). In addition, CERCLA spills must also be
reported to the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802. In the event that the incident
is transportation related, Section 304 requirements can be met by calling 911 or, in the
absence of a 911 system, contacting the local operator.
This emergency notification must include:
1) the chemical name;
2) an indication of whether the substance is an EHS;
3) an estimate of the quantity released into the environment;
4) the time and duration of the release;
5) the medium into which the release occurred;
6) any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the emergency
and, where appropriate, advice regarding medical attention necessary for exposed
individuals;
7) proper precautions, such as evacuation; and
8) the name and telephone number of a contact person.
EHS/CERCLA releases of greater than or equal to the RQ that occur under normal
operations and are stable in quantity and rate are to be reported under "Continuous
Release" reporting guidelines only if the release does not qualify as a
"Federally Permitted Release."
The Section
304 Reporting Form was developed by the SERC to familiarize
a facility with the information that will be needed when reporting
a release over the telephone. Use of the form is not mandatory,
and the form should not be mailed in. It is recommended that
the form be reviewed and then filed for use if a release occurs.
As soon as practicable after a release which requires notification, the
owner or operator of the facility must provide written follow-up
notice. The Section
304 Reporting Form must not be used for the written follow-up
notice. The written follow-up notice must include:
1) Updated information regarding the release
as indicated above;
2) Actions taken to respond to and contain the release;
3) Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated
with the release; and
4) Advice regarding medical attention necessary for exposed
individuals.
This follow-up notice must be sent to:
1) The SERC; and
2) The appropriate Community Emergency Coordinator
for the LEPC, at the LEPC mailing address.
The map
which shows the boundaries of the LEPCs and their addresses
is located at www.dca.state.fl.us/cps/SERC/htc1.htm#Local
Emergency Planning Committees.
The SERC's address is:
State Emergency Response Commission
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
EXEMPTION: Section 304 does not apply to any release of an EHS which results in
exposure to persons solely within the site on which the facility is located. However,
caution dictates that notification be made anyway, unless you are certain that the release
will not result in exposure to persons outside the site.
NOTE: All CERCLA chemical releases over their respective RQs must be reported to the
National Response Center regardless of whether the exposure extends off-site or is
contained on-site.
EPA has printed the final rules regarding Section 304 in the April 22, 1987 Federal
Register (40 CFR Parts 300 and 355). |
