In the event of a hazardous material incident, who primarily oversees the federal response?

In a hazardous material incident, the primary oversight of the federal response is conducted by the Federal On Scene Coordinator (FOSC). The FOSC is typically designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the U.S. Coast Guard and is responsible for coordinating the federal government's response to hazardous substance releases under the National Contingency Plan. This role includes assessing the situation, determining the need for federal assistance, and coordinating with state and local authorities to manage the response effectively.

The FOSC ensures that all federal resources are aligned and that the response is organized and efficient, focusing on containment and mitigation of the hazardous material incident to protect public health and the environment. With their specialized training and authority, they are the key figure in orchestrating the federal resources necessary for a successful response to these types of incidents.