Incident Response Program

The Environmental Management Department’s (EMD) Incident Response (IR) program was established in 1988 to provide on-site technical consultation and assistance to agencies responding to spills or releases of Hazardous Materials to protect public health and the environment and help maintain a safe community. 

EMD’s IR Program is administered throughout the County of Sacramento and its incorporated cities.

Program Overview

Typically, the IR Program is involved in emergency response activities related to

  • A local fire department or district responding to a emergency at a site having hazardous materials, such as a structure fire at a business storing chemicals (hazardous materials).
  • A local law enforcement agency, like the Sacramento County Sheriff, that has responded to a scene involving hazardous materials, such as a gasoline tanker truck rollover, abandoned chemical containers or an illegal drug lab on private property.
  • A citizen’s report of illegal dumping.
  • A follow up to an Environmental Management Department hazardous materials or hazardous waste inspection at a business.

EMD’s Role

The IR Program:

  • provides 24-hour incident response consultation and assistance through six staff that rotate on-call assignments in the program
  • safeguards public health through an on-site assessment of potential threats to people or the environment at scenes involving hazardous materials
  • ensures that proper disposal of hazardous materials occurs at incidents and oversees any necessary ongoing site clean-up
  • is responsible for ensuring that Sacramento County has an adequate plan for ensuring agency responsibilities and coordination related to incidents involving hazardous materials
  • is an integral participant in disaster planning and response training and exercises for the Sacramento region

EMD does not remove materials, clean up spills, or act as a first responder for environmental emergencies. 

Reporting A Spill or Incident

To report an in-progress hazardous materials emergency, spill, or incident, call 911.

To report abandoned containers or other non-emergency situations involving hazardous materials, call 311.  Your report will be directed by County personnel to the appropriate staff.

You may also visit the online 311 serv​ices page.