QAlert® Online Reporting System FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: What is the QAlert® Onboard Spill Reporting System?

A: QAlert is a 24/7 system developed by Spill Center® that enables a driver to quickly fill out a pre-formatted electronic spill message and transmit it from the truck to provide management and others with rapid notification and details of a fuel spill or release of other regulated materials into the environment.

 

Q: How does QAlert work?

A: In the event of a spill; the driver, using the Qualcomm display unit, inputs the designated number assigned to the spill macro. This brings up a form in which the driver fills in the details about the spill. The form is transmitted via the QUALCOMM Network Operations Center where it is processed and sent both to the carrier and to Spill Center’s 24/7 call center. Spill Center immediately notifies carrier management and completes the required reports as directed.

 

Q: What is Spill Center?

A: Spill Center® is a leading environmental claims and spill management specialist with nearly 20 years of experience helping level the playing field for spill generators who must deal with regulatory authorities, cleanup contractors and third-party claimants. Legal, environmental and technical specialists help find and dispatch cleanup contractors and expedite regulatory reporting. Proprietary automated systems are used to track incidents, produce standard and customized reports and generate root cause analysis data to help managers identify conditions and trends that can be addressed within their organizations to improve safety.

 

Q: Can I report spills by phone or online in addition to on-board reporting?

A: Yes, spills can be reported by calling Spill Center’s toll-free Spill Hotline number or by going on the Internet to a secure website and filling out a form online with details of the spill. Trained Spill Center staff call within minutes to confirm receipt of the spill report.

 

Q: What happens after I send my spill information to Spill Center?

A: The Spill Center staff activates your pre-filed instructions, which include the details on how to handle spill emergencies and which personnel to notify. At that time, if directed by the carrier:

 

• Appropriate authorities are called along with carrier personnel listed in the contingency plan.
• All required regulatory reports are completed and sent to the proper authorities to ensure compliance.
• A list of cleanup contractors based in the vicinity of the spill who are qualified to handle the remediation and disposal of spilled material is compiled and sent to the carrier to make a selection.
• Trained Incident Coordinators work to ensure a safe and appropriate response.

 

Spill Center maintains a database of more than 3,000 contractors throughout North America who are experienced and equipped to react to particular kinds of spills.

 

Q: How do I register for QAlert and file a Spill Contingency Plan with Spill Center?

A: You can call (877) 395-9045 to talk to an associate or register online at www.spillcenter.com/QAlert. While online, you can also create an enrollment profile and an Alert Distribution Plan. The profile and plan contain detailed instructions on claim handling as well as names and contact information of your internal team to be notified in the event of a spill.

 

Q: Why is it important to report a spill as quickly as possible?

A: The faster a spill is contained, the less chance there is for costly environmental damage. QAlert can transfer vital information about the incident in real time. Also, some jurisdictions require formal reports to be filed within a short time following an environmental release. In Massachusetts, for any spilled petroleum product of 10 gallons or more, the Mass DEP must be notified within two hours of the incident to avoid a late-notification citation – which can carry a penalty of $11,500. Depending on the jurisdiction and type of spill, a spill generator might have to file up to a dozen different reports to regulatory agencies within a certain timeframe.

 

Q: Since regulations vary so much, how can I be sure the right reports will be sent?

A: Spill Center closely monitors changes in regulations of the nearly 30,000 federal, state and local jurisdictions across the U.S. which require incident reports. A computer database of current environmental reporting regulations and contact information is maintained to help you avoid fees and penalties for missing reporting deadlines.

 

Q: How can QAlert help me save money after a spill?

A: Shippers and transporters who are not prepared to handle spill emergencies quickly and fail to comply with all reporting requirements can end up with major expenses for cleanup and disposal services, liability issues, and steep penalties for failing to file incident reports on time. Through QAlert, Spill Center provides the expertise and capabilities to contain those costs and limit a spill generator’s liability.

 

Q: What other services are available through QAlert?

A: Spill Center staffers are experienced in environmental emergency response, investigation and remediation, and they are available 24/7 to provide answers to your questions regarding environmental releases, regulations and liability issues. Additional services include contingency planning, real-time monitoring of the scope of spill clean-up to avoid unnecessary work, as well as final auditing of invoices. Audits involve line-by-line comparison of cleanup contractors’ charges with industry average costs for similar work. Spill Center’s auditor looks for any unreasonable charges and can negotiate those charges down to avoid inflated invoices.

 

Q: Can I use QAlert with our AS400 server or do I have to buy new equipment?

A: QAlert integrates with the RI/AS400 server, so current AS400 customers can minimize expenses by retaining original units while taking advantage of QAlert’s new capabilities.