Emergency Response

MDE’s Emergency Response Division (ERD) prepares for and responds to emergencies involving oil and hazardous chemical spills, nuclear power plant incidents, and other environmental crises. ERD exists to protect public safety and the environment through careful planning, training, and expert application of emergency response mechanisms to minimize impacts on human health and the environment.

Emergency Response Hot Line (only for cases with IMMEDIATE threat to public health and grave impact to the environment): (866) 633-4686.

Click here for non-emergency calls.

Responding to Terror Attacks

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has been heavily involved in response to the threat of terrorist attack, in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the subsequent anthrax attacks across the country. 

Among other related activities, we are working to ensure the security of the state’s drinking water and responding to emergency calls about unidentified substances across the state.

MDE has been working with a variety of facilities to review and discuss contingency plans and terrorism preparedness and verify 24-hour emergency contact information.  Security awareness guidelines are being provided to:

• Water and wastewater treatment facilities
• Chemical manufacturing plants
• Other industrial facilities using large quantities of hazardous substances
• Petroleum pipelines and bulk storage facilities
• High hazard dams
• Nuclear power plants and large radiological materials users

MDE will continue to work with local emergency responders, other state and federal government agencies and private organizations to ensure that these facilities are protected against the terrorist threat.