National Response System (NRS)
National Response Center (NRC)
The National Response Center (NRC) is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). It serves as the sole federal point of entry for initial notifications of oil/hazardous substance releases (required by law). The NRC notifies appropriate responders and distributes incident reports.
The NRC receives initial reports of pollution events, including discharges into navigable waters, releases of hazardous substances, radiological incidents, and railroad-related hazardous material emergencies. Once a report is received, the NRC immediately notifies the appropriate federal, state, tribal, and local response agencies so they can begin coordinating a response.
The NRC operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is staffed by trained Coast Guard personnel. These specialists collect detailed information about each incident and ensure it is relayed quickly to the correct authorities—such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), or U.S. Coast Guard field units.
Anyone who witnesses or becomes aware of an oil spill, chemical release, or maritime security threat is required by federal law to report the incident to the NRC. Prompt reporting is critical for protecting workers, the public, and the environment from escalating harm.
Below is an overview of how some of the key NRS components fit together during the response process.
- Federal law requires responsible parties to report spills of oil and hazardous substances to the National Response Center. NRC Hotline: 1-800-424-8802 (available 24/7)
- The National Response Center then forwards these notifications to the pre-designated federal OSC assigned to the area for the incident. The NRC also forwards these notifications to other appropriate federal and state entities, including the DHS National Operations Center.
- The OSC gathers information about the incident in order to determine whether a federal response is warranted. The OSC may gather information via phone from state and local agencies and the responsible party, or may deploy to the site to collect information, depending on the incident.
- If the incident impacts resources overseen by a federal or state natural resource trustee, the OSC would also notify that trustee.
- An OSC may determine that a federal response is not required if appropriate actions are already being taken by a state or local agency or the responsible party and the release doesn't constitute a significant public health or environmental threat.
- If a federal response is warranted, the OSC typically enters into a unified command with responding state/local agencies, and possibly the responsible party when appropriate.
- The OSC may call upon other NRS assets for assistance as needed, including the federal
- special teams, the RRTs, and NRT.
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1-6. What is the primary role of the National Response Center (NRC)?
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