v*EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
STATE  PRIMACY AGENCIES
       A Vital  Component of WARN
BACKGROUND
                     The mission of Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARN)
                     is to provide expedited access to the specialized resources needed to
                     respond to and recover from natural and human caused events that
                     disrupt drinking water and wastewater utilities.
                     Unlike existing statewide mutual aid agreements, WARN membership is
                     open to both public and private utilities. By adopting the WARN
                     approach to mutual aid and assistance, drinking water and wastewater
                     utilities in each state are able to sign a single agreement covering issues
                     such as indemnification, workers' compensation, and reimbursement.
                     The agreement also allows for utilities to share equipment, personnel,
                     and other resources to respond effectively to any crisis.
A WARN's success relies on a strong base of member utilities willing to help one another during
emergencies. For this reason, no utility is too large or too  small to benefit from WARN, and each
additional member enhances the probability of a successful response to an emergency.
ROLE OF STATE PRIMACY AGENCY IN WARN
State primacy agencies have been integral in the development of WARN programs across the
nation. While WARN leadership varies by state, the concept of including the state primacy
agency as an advisor to the governing board is one that is widely accepted. One key role state
primacy agencies fill is to help generate support for WARN and educate utilities about the
program.
While the program is focused on "Utilities Helping Utilities," state primacy agencies have
assisted in the organization of trainings and support (administratively, financially, and
organizationally). State primacy agencies have also played a vital role in ensuring the success of
WARN through liaison and outreach initiatives with the state's emergency management agency
and through coordination of disaster response support activities.
WATER SECTOR SUPPORT
Eight major water organizations signed the Joint Policy Statement on Mutual Aid and Assistance
Networks  in February  2006,  encouraging  utilities and  local/state governments to establish
intrastate mutual aid and assistance networks. Among the signatories, the Association of State
Drinking Water Administrators committed to the "Utilities Helping Utilities"  concept and
continues  to encourage state drinking  water  programs to discuss mutual aid and assistance
initiatives  with their peer agencies and with the water systems  for which they have oversight
responsibility.
Additional support is available through outreach products developed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to aid utilities  in the development of mutual aid and assistance
networks, found at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/home.cfm?program_id=8#maa
        Office of Water (4608-T) | EPA 817-F-10-002 | February 2010  | www.epa.qov/watersecuritv

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                STATE PRIMACY AGENCIES: A VITAL COMPONENT OF WARN
                page 2 of 2
WARN RESPONSES
A number of WARNs have been involved in past response activities, both providing and
receiving assistance.
•  City of Alamosa, Colorado, Water Contamination Incident (2008) - Colorado WARN
   member response consisted of incident management and sampling expertise, as well as
   resources for flushing and disinfecting the water system.
•  Hurricanes Umberto and Ike (2007-2008) - Texas WARN member response included
   systems locating generators and coordinating support to utilities who lost power.
•  Southern California Fires (2007) - California WARN member response included systems
   who provided over 100 different resources, including operators, mechanics, electricians,
   water quality technicians, water buffaloes for firefighting, and bottled water for affected
   citizens.
•  Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (2005) - Florida WARN member response included systems
   who cleaned electrical components and lift stations, fixed electrical motors and pumps, and
   repaired water main leaks.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WARN
FALSE
WARN participation is limited to
utilities.
WARN membership is expensive.
WARN membership obligates
systems to send resources.
WARN membership precludes
participation in other mutual aid
and assistance agreements, or
utilizing resources from
contractors or associations.
TRUE
> While it is true that only utilities sign the agreement, participation
of response partners playing an active role in the coordination of
resources and response activities is a vital component of a
successful WARN.
> Existing WARNs do not require a membership or retainer fee.
> All member utilities volunteer time to develop and maintain their
WARN.
> No member is obligated to send resources if they decide not to
for any reason.
> The Joint Policy Statement signed by the wastewater and water
organizations supports mutual aid and assistance networks of all
kinds and the WARN program is not the only option.
> WARN recognizes the need for member utilities to also access
local agreements and statewide programs, and does not attempt
to replace them.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  ^^^^^
Contact John Whitler of EPA (whitler.john@epa.gov) or visit:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecuritv/home.cfm7program id=8#maa.
        Office of Water (4608-T)  | EPA 817-F-10-002 |  February 2010  www.epa.qov/watersecuritv

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