Office of Emergency Response

Minimizes the impact of spills and releases to the environment and ensures emergency cleanup.

24-HOUR EMERGENCY SPILL HOTLINE
Report spills and environmental emergencies to Ohio EPA 24-hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-800-282-9378 or (614) 224-0946. Report non-emergency complaints to the appropriate ER operations office as shown on the Contacts tab.

 

Ohio EPA’s Office of Emergency Response (ER) is a specialized group of staff stationed throughout Ohio who coordinate with first responders and other Federal, State and local responders and support entities on environmental emergencies such as train wrecks, facility malfunctions, highway crashes, fish kills, oil and gas releases, natural disasters, etc., to minimize and abate the impact these releases cause to the environment.

ER is capable of responding 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Responders are fully trained in the Incident Command System. On-scene coordinators (OSCs) are available to help first responders address environmental emergencies and pollution incidents, including chemical and petroleum spills.

Statewide, Ohio EPA records more than 5,000 incident reports annually through calls to our emergency response spill hotline from citizens, companies, law enforcement, emergency responders and other agencies.

Spills and releases reported to the Ohio EPA are included in the data set. Information includes the spill site and products released. Click the link below to go directly to the data, or view the how-to video for assistance.

Ohio EPA Emergency Response Spills and Releases

 

 

Ohio EPA receives hundreds of information requests each year. In order to ensure that these requests are addressed in the most efficient and timely manner possible, we have developed the Procedures for Public Records Requests and File Reviews fact sheet. Please refer to this fact sheet for specific information about the process. 

Contact
Mardi Enderle
Office of Emergency Response
4675 Homer Ohio Lane
Groveport, OH 43125
Phone: (614) 836-8811
Email: mardi.enderle@epa.ohio.gov 

You may request the following:

  • copies of individual incident records; 
  • database search; and/or 
  • file review.

If requesting a database search, please include as much of the following information as possible: 

  • Name of company or previous owner 
  • Incident ID number 
  • Township or County
  • Address

 

Reporting Environmental Violations and Concerns

Please help protect Ohio’s environment by identifying and reporting environmental concerns and violations. If you are witnessing a significant release or an environmental emergency that is ongoing, please call Ohio EPA's 24-hour emergency hotline 1-800-282-9378 or (614) 224-0946. To report a suspected non-emergency, environmental violation or concern, contact the appropriate Ohio EPA ER operations unit as listed on the Contacts tab during normal business hours (M-F between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.). Once a complaint is filed, Ohio EPA will further investigate your concerns.

What actions may be considered environmental violations?

  • Illegal disposal and abandonment of waste (solid waste, hazardous waste, tires and construction and  demolition debris).
  • Dumping or discharging industrial or agricultural waste into rivers, lakes ditches, storm sewers or to wastewater treatment plants.
  • Malfunctioning wastewater treatment plants.
  • Smoke or heavy dust emissions from industrial facilities.
  • Drinking water with unusual tastes, odors or loss of water pressure.
  • Burning of trash, garbage, oily wastes, tires and other materials.
  • Destruction, draining and/or filling of wetlands.
  • Demolition projects in buildings containing asbestos.
  • Falsification of environmental documents such as manifests, sampling results, and discharge reports.
  • False statements made to regulatory personnel.

Are you witnessing an environmental emergency?

An environmental emergency is an immediate and significant threat to public health and/or the environment due to the release of materials to the environment. While an emergency can also constitute a violation, an emergency should be reported immediately to Ohio EPA’s 24-hour spill hotline at 1-800-282-9378 or (614) 224-0946. Examples of emergencies to be reported by calling 1-800-282-9378 include:

  • Petroleum spills;
  • Chemical spill;
  • Fires involving chemicals and/or petroleum;
  • Accidents causing the release of pollutants to Ohio’s waterways. Industrial chemicals when not properly managed can cause environmental problems; in addition, spills of materials that seem harmless can cause environmental harm if not properly addressed.  For example, large spills of milk and molasses have all caused fish kills in Ohio streams.

Does Ohio EPA handle all environmental concerns?

Can I remain anonymous?

You do not have to provide any personal information in order for Ohio EPA to review your complaint. However, by providing your name and contact information, Ohio EPA will be able to contact you to clarify information or gather additional information from you to help investigate your concerns.  All the information submitted, including your contact information may be considered public information and may be released upon request.

Disclaimer:  Information provided in a complaint may be used by Ohio EPA to investigate and potentially seek penalties for violations of law.  Therefore, the information provided must be true and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Ohio EPA will use the information you provide to determine whether an investigation is warranted.

Release and Reporting Requirements

The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) finalized a set of eight (8) release reporting rules (3750-25-01; 3750-25-05; 3750-25-10; 3750-25-12; 3750-25-13; 3750-25-15; 3750-25-20; and 3750-25-25), effective June 30, 1993. The purpose of this section is to make you aware of your reporting obligations in case of a discharge or release.

All verbal notifications made under these rules are to be reported to the Ohio EPA’s Emergency Response Section, Local Emergency Planning District(s) which may be affected, and the jurisdictional fire department(s).

An owner or operator is required to report a release or discharge under 3750.06 of the Ohio Revised Code anytime there is a release or spill of a regulated chemical which exceeds its assigned Reportable Quantity (RQ) and leaves the facility property line. For complete details about which substances are subject to the release reporting requirements, please refer to the State Emergency Response Commission website or release reporting requirement section of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3750) Facility Reporting Compliance Manual.

 
Gortner, Ed Chief (614) 836-8777
Enderle, Mardi Revenue Recovery and Administrative Support (614) 836-8811
 

 

24-Hour Emergency Spill Hotline

Report spills and environmental emergencies
(800) 282-9378 or (614) 224-0946

Duty Office

Non-Emergency Number for ER Program (614) 644-3194
Mehl, Jim ER Program Manager
Lauck, Greg Duty Officer
Billman-Kotsko, Jodi ER Supervisor Southern Regional ER Operations
Carmichael, Toni On-Scene Coordinator
Holmes, Chris On-Scene Coordinator
Irwin, Trevor On-Scene Coordinator
Wise, Keith On-Scene Coordinator
Harriff, Ben On-Scene Coordinator
Eberle, Mike ER Supervisor Northern Regional ER Operations
Fodo, Ron Senior On-Scene Coordinator
Kollar, Kurt Senior On-Scene Coordinator
Antonelli, Larry On-Scene Coordinator
Balser, Wade On-Scene Coordinator
Flegal, John On-Scene Coordinator
Schilt, Dave On-Scene Coordinator
 

 

Get to the
Right Person Faster
 
Notify us about
Non-emergency Issues
 
 800-282-9378