1.  ERT determines if a response is necessary.  For instance, if a truck wrecks and hazardous material is spilled into the environment, ERT responds immediately.  On the other hand, if the quantity of the material spilled is so small that it does not present a hazard, such as a gallon off gasoline spilled by a service station, ERT deals with the incident on a routine basis through the state's Department for Environmental Protection.

2.  ERT responds or may dispatch staff from the Air Quality, Waste Management or Water divisions as appropriate.

3.  ERT coordinates with local officials and other state and federal agencies such as EPA, the Kentucky State Fire Marshall and the Kentucky Division of Emergency Response Center in Frankfort.

4.  On the scene, ERT coordinators maintain communications with the Environmental Response Center in Frankfort.

5.  ERT on-scene coordinators monitor the emergency situation until the emergency is mitigated.

6.  ERT on-scene coordinators file a summary report to the cabinet including a cost estimate of actual and necessary cleanup and emergency ERT services.

State law mandates under KRS 224 01.400 (14):

The cabinet shall be the lead agency for hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant emergency spill response and, after consultation with outher affected federal , state, and local agencies and private organizations, shall establish a contingency plan for undertaking emergency actions in response to the release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

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