Environmental emergencies involving the release, or threatened release, of oil, radioactive materials or hazardous chemicals may potentially affect communities and the surrounding environment. Releases may be accidental, as in the case of a spill at a chemical plant, or may be deliberate. Releases may also be caused by natural disasters. EPA works with a variety of private and public entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to spills and other environmental emergencies. EPA's web site provides information about these activities, links to the key groups involved in contingency planning and response, and provides information on how to report hazardous substance and oil spills.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• Emergency Management
  Provides information about emergency management.
• Protect the Environment: Report Spills and Environmental Violations
  Whom to notify and how to be prepared in case of an environmental emergency.
• Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies
  Provides information about natural disasters and weather emergencies.

Characterization

Contingency Plans
National Contingency Plan (NCP), Oil Removal Contingency Plan, Spill Prevention

Counter-Terrorism
Water Security

Disasters
Fire, Floods, Hurricanes, September 11 Response, Tornadoes, Volcanoes

Emergency Response
Consequence Management, Countermeasures, Mobile Laboratories, National Response Team (NRT), On Scene Coordinators, Radiological Emergency Response Team, September 11 Response, Training

Oil Spills
Facility Response Plan

Poisoning
Lead Poisoning, Mercury Poisoning, Pesticides

Reporting
Reporting Requirements, Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)