A. If a threatened, or actual release of a hazardous material or hazardous waste occurs in the absence of a business or property owner, the fire chief shall make a reasonable attempt to contact the business and/or property owner where the threatened or actual release has occurred and shall require the immediate mitigation of the hazard.

B. If there is no response or no contact is made with a business or property owner within a reasonable time frame, the fire chief shall take mitigating action which may include, but is not limited to, hazard removal or relocation, cleanup, site evaluation, soil testing, and/or chemical analysis.

C. Any person or business with an ownership interest in the business or property on or in which the threatened or actual release occurred shall pay the cost of responding to any threatened, or actual release of any hazardous material and all damages and expenses incurred by any public agency having jurisdiction or any public agency assisting the agency having jurisdiction, Expenses shall include, but not be limited to, equipment and personnel and any payments to outside business firms.