(a) The Texas Department of Public Safety will be responsible for on-site coordination of transportation emergencies for all unincorporated areas and may assume the on-site coordination role within cities when requested to do so by local government.
(b) The initial Texas Department of Public Safety commissioned law enforcement officer who responds, on site, will be responsible for the on-site coordination of transportation emergencies, as provided in subsection (c) of this section. This officer shall perform the coordination responsibility until relieved by appropriate Department of Public Safety authority or the incident is concluded.
(c) On-site coordination of hazardous material transportation emergencies may include, but not be limited to:
  (1) assessing the seriousness and magnitude of the incident;
  (2) identifying the type of hazardous material;
  (3) notifying the appropriate communications center;
  (4) controlling access to the location;
  (5) determining if evacuation is necessary;
  (6) assisting in evacuation;
  (7) providing safe traffic control;
  (8) notifying and communicating with special response teams;
  (9) communicating with transportation carrier;
  (10) notifying and requesting appropriate state agency response teams;
  (11) responding to any other emergency needs; and
  (12) performing any other functions necessary to facilitate a safe and successful conclusion of the incident.
(d) Officers of the department have duty to make emergency rules when normal operating procedures prove inadequate pursuant to §3.42 of this title (relating to Making of Emergency Rules).

Source Note: The provisions of this §4.2 adopted to be effective March 9, 2004, 29 TexReg 2376