What must be reported to the national response center during incidents involving the pipeline?

In incidents involving pipelines, the primary requirement is to notify the National Response Center about the occurrence of the incident. This notification is vital as it triggers the response protocols necessary to address the situation effectively, ensuring that the right resources and interventions are mobilized quickly. The notification serves as a formal means to alert authorities, enabling them to evaluate the circumstances of the incident, coordinate responses, and facilitate any necessary investigations or remediation efforts.

While the location of the incident, loss of equipment, and casualty numbers are also important pieces of information that are typically communicated during an incident, the initial and most critical step that must be taken is to report the incident itself. This action is crucial because it ensures that the appropriate response is initiated, thereby prioritizing public safety and environmental protection in the event of a pipeline emergency.