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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is sponsoring free Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) workshops across the United States. The workshops include tabletop exercises which will bring together local drinking water and wastewater service providers (public and private), state, and federal agencies and emergency management agency representatives to discuss the WARN program and its benefits.
Background: The purpose of a WARN is to provide a network where water and wastewater agencies can locate emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials and other associated services. As with any response agreement or plan, there is a need to develop, exercise, and validate the mutual aid/assistance operational plan utilized during activation of a mutual aid program. The state WARN will be hosting these free workshops which will include informational presentations and a tabletop exercise.
Workshop Description: The workshops will include representatives from the WARN, response partners, and state agencies who will discuss the program and its benefits. The presentations and tabletop exercise during the workshop will provide an opportunity to demonstrate and determine how the WARN would operate in the event of an actual emergency and how utilities can assist other utilities.
Who Should Attend: The workshops are applicable to both members and non-members who are thinking about joining their state WARN.