Spill Center introduced an onboard spill reporting process for trucks that enables drivers to activate company response systems quickly after spills of hazardous materials and initiate reporting and remediation actions.


Called QAlert, the onboard spill reporting process is integrated into the Qualcomm mobile information systems used by many carriers. A pre-formatted, electronic "spill macro" loaded into the truck's Qualcomm information system enables the driver to quickly fill in details of the spill and transmit it along with the truck's location.

The message travels from the truck to Qualcomm's Network Operations Center, which forwards it to the carrier and Spill Center's 24/7 call center. Qualcomm's system enables the automatic sharing of data with Spill Center once authorized by the carrier.

Once Spill Center receives the message, trained personnel design spill response and remediation activities, including incident coordination, and activate the carrier's pre-filed spill contingency plan.

This plan contains spill-handling instructions and contact information. Spill Center calls the carrier and, at the carrier's direction, the appropriate authorities to alert them of the spill, the location of the truck, type and amount of material spilled and whether any special protective gear or precautions are needed on scene.

Spill Center completes all required telephone reports on the carrier's behalf, relying on its regulatory reporting database of over 3,300 local, state and federal jurisdictions. Meanwhile, the carrier is provided with a list of clean-up contractors in the vicinity of the spill qualified to handle remediation and disposal of the spilled material. Spill Center maintains a list of over 3,000 for-hire emergency response contractors throughout North America.

More info: www.spillcenter.com/QAlert