Los Angeles Fire Department Spill/Release Notification Requirements
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for the City of Los Angeles. California Code of Regulation Title 19 section 2631 requires immediate reporting of any significant release or threatened release of a hazardous material. The responsible person must report to the Cal OES State Warning Center at (800) 852-7550 AND the local CUPA at (213) 978-3680. In addition, the Los Angeles City Fire Code requires reporting to the following link or QR code. https://www.lafd.org/fire-prevention/cupa/spill-releasenotification
The reporting shall include, at a minimum, the following information: (1) The exact location of the release or threatened release. (2) The name of the person reporting the release or threatened release. (3) The hazardous materials involved in the release or threatened release. (4) An estimate of the quantity of hazardous materials involved. (5) If known, the potential hazards presented by the hazardous material involved.
You may leave a voice mail for the local CUPA with all the required information. A voice mail without the required information is not considered reporting and can be liable for civil penalties up to $25,000 per day for each violation (HSC 25515).
A written follow-up notice shall be sent to the Chemical Emergency Planning and Response Commission (CEPRC) at 3650 Schriever Avenue, Mather, CA 95655. This written report shall be sent as soon as practicable but no later than 30 days from the date of the release.
If the release exceeds the EPCRA reportable quantity, the facility must notify State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), the National Response Center (800) 424-8802, and provide a detailed written follow-up as soon as practicable. Information about accidental chemical releases must be made available to the public.
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REFERENCE
19 CCR ยง 2631 ยง 2631. Immediate Reporting of a Release or a Threatened Release. (a) A person shall provide an immediate, verbal report of any release or threatened release of a hazardous material to the administering agency and the California Emergency Management Agency* as soon as: (1) A person has knowledge of the release or threatened release; (2) Notification can be provided without impeding immediate control of the release or threatened release; (3) Notification can be provided without impeding immediate emergency medical measures. (b) The immediate reporting pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall include, as a minimum: (1) The exact location of the release or threatened release; (2) The name of the person reporting the release or threatened release; (3) The hazardous materials involved in the release or threatened release; (4) An estimate of the quantity of hazardous materials involved; and (5) If known, the potential hazards presented by the hazardous material involved in the release or threatened release;
Fire code requirement 5003.3.1.5 Any person who has knowledge of an unauthorized release of a hazardous substance shall notify the Chief immediately. A written report shall be submitted by the owner, operator, or permittee within 10 days after the escape of a hazardous substance from a primary container when the unauthorized release: 1. Has occurred or has the potential to enter groundwater. 2. Could endanger life, property, or the environment. 3. Is contained by secondary containment. The written report shall provide information to the Department relating to the ability of the permittee to contain and dispose of the hazardous substance, the estimated time it will take to achieve this, and the degree of hazard created. The Chief may verify that the hazardous substance is being contained and appropriately disposed of. If at any time it is determined that the permittee is not adequately containing and disposing of such hazardous substance, the Chief shall have the power and authority to initiate and direct an emergency response in order to protect the public safety, health and welfare, public and private property, wildlife, marine fisheries, wet lands or ocean resources, or natural environment. The permittee shall be liable for reimbursement to the Department for all emergency response costs incurred.
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