Whom should you contact in case of a chemical spill?

• A. EPA
• B. Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)
• C. Local fire department
• D. Insurance company

Answer: (B)

When a chemical spill happens, you need to get help from the agency that coordinates statewide emergency response for hazardous materials. In Illinois, that role is filled by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. They’re equipped to receive spill reports, assess the risk, coordinate with local responders, and determine what level of cleanup and regulatory notification is required. This makes IEMA the appropriate single point of contact to ensure the incident is handled safely, quickly, and in compliance with regulations, including any federal reporting if it’s necessary.

The other options aren’t the primary reporting channel for this situation. The EPA handles federal environmental concerns and only comes into play in certain cases or larger incidents. The local fire department is usually the first on scene for immediate danger and containment, but they don’t serve as the official state-level reporting and coordination point. The insurance company isn’t involved in directing the emergency response or regulatory reporting.