The Louisiana State Police (LSP) Emergency Services Unit (ESU) is the primary agency in Louisiana with both regulatory and statutory authority over hazardous materials and explosives.
Each unit conducts enforcement activities supported by administrative or criminal provisions within each set of regulations. ESU Technicians respond to, mitigate, and often remediate hazardous material and explosive incidents statewide, 24/7, year-round.
Their mission is to ensure Louisiana citizens are not exposed to undue risk through proactive enforcement and thorough investigation of infractions in hazardous material and explosives laws.
The Hazardous Materials Hotline is operated by the Louisiana State Police and allows for the immediate notification of hazardous materials-related incidents occurring in Louisiana. The HazMat Hotline is available to transporters, manufacturers, users of regulated hazardous materials, and the general public. Reports to the HazMat Hotline can be made by dialing 877-925-6595 or 225-925-6595.
The LSP Hazardous Materials Training Program offers courses for first responders related to hazardous materials incidents. These courses include counter-terrorism curriculum and meet or exceed standards such as:
Training is available at no cost for local, state, and federal responders assigned to the State of Louisiana through funding provided by PHMSA’s Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant.
Contact us: [email protected]
In 1970, the Legislature passed Louisiana’s first laws governing explosives. Consequently, the State Police Explosive Control Unit was formed in 1971. Under the newly written laws, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police was now tasked with regulating, both criminally and civilly, the explosives industry throughout the state of Louisiana. The Louisiana State Police was now the only state police agency in the country with regulatory authority over the explosives industry. Shortly thereafter, several states followed the path paved by the Louisiana State Police.
For regulatory questions or concerns, email: [email protected]
Telephone: 225-925-4893 - Option 3
Act 435 of the 1985 legislative session established the RTK laws whereby owners and operators are responsible for filing inventory forms for all hazardous materials manufactured, used, or stored at their facilities and for immediately reporting releases of certain hazardous materials in certain reportable quantities to the Louisiana State Police, Hazardous Materials Unit.
In October of 1986, the Federal Government enacted the “Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act” under SARA Title III. The formation of SARA Title III, a complex federal law with a simple purpose to protect lives and property by enabling all segments of the community to have access to timely, detailed information about hazardous materials in their community and use that information to plan for potential chemical emergencies. These efforts led to the formation of the Department’s “Right-to-Know” Section. RTK currently maintains records in a database known as the “Tier II” database. Tier II is a comprehensive information system containing specific data regarding both the presence and location of hazardous materials in Louisiana.
Telephone: 225-925-4893 - Option 6
For Tier II questions or concerns, please email: [email protected]
Chris Adams - Commander
Phone: 225-925-4893
Louisiana State Police
Emergency Services Unit
PO Box 66168, A-16
Baton Rouge, LA 70896