Response

When a hazardous substance release is reported, EPA, through its 10 regional offices and in close cooperation with a network of federal, state, and local government agencies, may perform a variety of Typical Emergency Response Actions, beginning with Investigating Sites. Many of the actions that EPA takes are in response to what are called classic emergencies, which involve the sudden or unexpected release of hazardous substances. EPA also responds to the immediate threats that occur during removal actions at long-term cleanup sites.

EPA's accomplishments in responding to threats posed by hazardous substances is impressive--the Agency has conducted several thousand response actions since the Superfund Emergency Response program began in 1980, and has directed and monitored many other actions carried out by those responsible for the contamination. The profiles of threats confronted by the EPA emergency response program vary greatly in size, nature, and location, and have involved EPA in incidents requiring unusual or complex emergency response actions.

Whichever type of emergency arises, EPA provides appropriate and immediate response.