Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Practical solutions for improving rural communities
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March 2012

Preparing and practicing for emergencies

Posted Tue, 2012/03/06 - 2:55pm by RCAP

Hurricane season is upon us. This and other weather and events throughout the year  that can cause damage and disruptions are good reminders to think about overall emergency preparedness for your utility.

The Environmental Protection Agency has its new Emergency Response Tabletop Exercises for Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems to help you think and prepare in an organized way.

Format: 
Magazine/newsletter (single article)
Topic: 
Security/emergency-response planning
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Operator
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Plant manager
State/federal decision-maker

Using Amateur Radio in Emergencies

Posted Tue, 2012/03/06 - 2:54pm by RCAP

A hurricane rips through your community, an earthquake crumbles buildings, or a tornado tears through your town. In the chaos that follows any of these scenarios, the first thing you will probably do is reach for your cell phone — or go to your landline — to start communicating about the damage, begin the recovery effort, and restore water service if it’s been affected.

Format: 
Magazine/newsletter (single article)
Topic: 
Security/emergency-response planning
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Operator
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Plant manager

Obama administration announces commitments to protect the health of every American

Posted Fri, 2012/03/02 - 5:08pm by RCAP

Agencies publish environmental justice strategies designed to ensure that all communities are protected from environmental harm and benefit from federal programs

WASHINGTON — Federal agencies, led by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), released on Feb. 27 environmental justice strategies, implementation plans and progress reports, outlining steps agencies will take to protect communities facing greater health and environmental risks.

EPA online forum about small wastewater treatment systems

Posted Fri, 2012/03/02 - 5:04pm by RCAP

The EPA Office of Wastewater Management Sustainable Communities Branch has an online forum where one can post documents and technical issues/problems for information and discussion about small wastewater treatment systems. While anyone can read forum content, one must register (very simple) in order to start topics, post comments, or upload material.

Go to the forum

 

Format: 
Website (with more resources)
Topic: 
Operations (technical)
Source: 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Audience: 
Operator