What is Mutual Aid/Assistance?

• Mutual Aid/Assistance is one agency helping another based on a written agreement
• The assistance is provided across jurisdictional boundaries in the event of an emergency

What is a WARN?

• A Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network is a network of utilities helping utilities to respond to and recover from emergencies
• Participation is voluntary
• There is no obligation to respond
• There is no cost to participate

What is the purpose of a WARN?

• A WARN establishes an agreement and protocols for sharing resources among water and wastewater utilities statewide
• A WARN provides a forum for establishing and maintaining emergency contacts
• A WARN provides access to specialized resources needed to respond to emergencies at water and wastewater systems
• A WARN can facilitate training that specifically focuses on the exchange of resources during an emergency or drill

Why is a WARN important?

• Utility resources are specialized
• Utilities must be self-sufficient
• Utilities must fill the gap before the arrival of government aid

What does a WARN program provide a utility?

• Access to specialized, certified, and knowledgeable utility personnel
• Access to heavy equipment, tools and supplies used by utilities during normal events

What are the benefits of a WARN?

• There is no cost to participate
• WARN is like investing in a no cost insurance policy to access resources when needed
• WARN increases emergency preparedness and coordination
• WARN enhances access to specialized resources
• WARN provides a single agreement to access resources statewide
• WARN expedites arrival of aid (don’t have to work out the administrative items; the agreements and WARN protocols work them out in advance for you)
• WARN agreement contains indemnification and worker’s compensation provisions to protect participating utilities and provide reimbursement protocols

How does a utility get assistance during an emergency?

• Currently, each WARN system works differently depending on previous agreements.
• Initial access may be made directly to other members or through an identified coordination point.
• As a result of the contact, WARN members are able to match the equipment, skilled labor, and other resources needed with resources other members have available by querying a database, calling members, or using an internet message board to locate those resources
• Each WARN also provides facilitation in collecting damage assessment and locating resources as needed.
• Public utilities may also access other resources through local, state, and federal agencies

Are member utilities required to respond and send resources?

• There is no obligation to respond.

What happens if a utility sends resources and needs them back?

• Under no circumstances is a utility to send resources if it impacts their ability to manage daily operations or response to its own emergency.
• It is up to the lending utility to determine what resources to send
• Resources remain under the authority of the sending utility, and as such can be recalled any time

What happens if equipment on loan is damaged or stolen?

• This may depend on your state’s mutual aid/assistance agreement; the lending utility is typically responsible to have insurance in case this happens

Are mutual aid and assistance activities eligible for FEMA reimbursement?

• It is important to understand how the FEMA programs work and understand how they apply to mutual aid/assistance in advance; Some key considerations for FEMA reimbursement include:
• The assistance is requested by the Applicant;
• The work performed is directly related to the disaster and is otherwise eligible for FEMA assistance;
• The entity can provide documentation of rates and payment for services, if requested; and
• The agreement is written and was in effect prior to the disaster.

Will a utility be reimbursed for the use of their resources?

• This depends upon the terms that the lending and borrowing utilities agree upon
• In some cases during a federally declared disaster, FEMA may provide reimbursement for equipment, fuel, and personnel used in a disaster

How is WARN different from a statewide mutual aid program?

• Statewide mutual aid/assistance agreements frequently require a declaration of a "local emergency" to activate the agreement, WARN agreements do not require declaration of an emergency, saving critical time in response
• Statewide programs do not include private utilities, WARN agreements do
• For aid to cross state lines coordination with state emergency management is recommend and is typically facilitated by Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) in coordination with the National Response Plan

Is help available for disasters other than hurricanes?

• WARN is available in all types of emergencies
• WARN members can receive assistance anytime their system needs emergency assistance

Who should be involved in helping develop a WARN?

• Utility owner/operators
• Professional association representation
• State water and wastewater primacy agency (State health, environmental protection, etc.)
• State emergency management and/or homeland security agency
• US EPA region representation

What help is available to form a WARN?

• AWWA will be holding workshops across the country
• EPA can help with post workshop remote support on a case-by-case basis, depending on available funding and the specific needs of the program. Support could include facilitation of meetings and workshops, administrative support, and answer technical questions.

What about setting up an interstate mutual aid program?

• Currently the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is being used by all fifty states to share aid across state lines. The water sector will be working with the administrators of EMAC to ensure that it can be used effectively for the water sector.