CHEMTREC, the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center, began operations on Sept. 5, 1971. CHEMTREC is a 24-hour emergency center that was started as a service of the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA), now known as the American Chemistry Council. The first center was located in downtown Washington, D.C. It is now located across the Potomac River in Arlington, VA.

In addition to its chemical emergency call center, CHEMTREC provides training programs, MEDTREC (for chemical medical information), Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and CHEMNET, an industry chemical emergency mutual aid system.

Emergency Call Center

CHEMTREC provides emergency chemical information to emergency responders nationwide. Its primary mission "is to provide technical information about products involved, guidance on how to protect themselves and the public, and what initial action is required to mitigate the incident." CHEMTREC strives to provide this and other information quickly and accurately 24 hours a day. Managing Director Carl Reynolds is available to answer questions at 703-741-5524.

Photo by Robert Burke CHEMTREC can fax Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to an incident scene for immediate use by emergency responders.

Emergency response organizations do not have to be registered with CHEMTREC to use its services. Information and assistance are provided free of charge as a public service to emergency response organizations.

Recent expansions of the center have taken place due to increased call volume. Additional staff has been added along with new technology to support operations. Backup power is provided for the center and protocols are in place for relocating the center in an emergency. One call to 800-424-9300 can put responders in touch with the company that manufactured a chemical, the shipper, provide MSDS, activate, and send a chemical company or industry mutual aid hazmat response team to the scene. CHEMTREC can also provide on-scene responders with information on over one million chemicals. Procedures are in place for calls originating from non-English-speaking callers. Specialized assistance from chemists can be obtained from its extensive database of chemical industry contacts. Emergency collect calls are accepted, and all calls are recorded.