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For several years, the RCAP network has been extensively involved in facilitating the formation of mutual aid agreements between water and wastewater utilities.  These mutual aid agreements are called Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks, or WARNs. 

The WARN concept involves utilities signing onto a single mutual aid and assistance agreement that allows them to share resources and personnel efficiently and effectively.  WARN programs also coordinate with local, state and federal governments. The purpose of these networks is to provide a mechanism for water and wastewater systems that have sustained damage from natural or man-made events to obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials and other services and expertise from other water and wastewater utilities.

RCAP staff members have assisted small utilities in joining the WARNs, and often serve as the voice for small utilities on WARN steering committees, through funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  By serving on the steering committees, RCAP staff members assure that the needs and realities of small utilities are taken into consideration by agreements and policies developed in each state.  RCAP technical assistance providers also assist in getting WARN information to utilities that cannot always make centralized WARN meetings.

WARN agreements often allow for reimbursement negotiations to cover the costs of responding to another utility’s emergency.  If the utility in need cannot afford to pay for the assistance, some utilities may provide free support.  This feature of many state WARNs is a particular advantage for small systems, which often operate on a very limited budget.

A crucial message that RCAP staff members convey to rural communities is that WARN is not a government entity.  WARN has nothing to do with regionalization and is designed to help restore utility services after a disaster.

Small utilities can contribute to emergency response initiatives as well as staff from larger utilities.  Through the use of teams, individual persons from small utilities can join together to form teams of crews based on the specific need.

State WARNs encourage periodic updating of resource availability lists. The good thing is that these lists are not mandatory, although they could potentially be linked to an asset management program.  The only requirement for most WARN programs is to maintain current contact information so utilities can be contacted to see if they need help.

Many small systems have limited access to the Internet and are not comfortable with Internet-based communications. Communications can be paper-based or phone-based, and there is no requirement to use the Internet.

In the past, workers’ compensation and insurance issues sometimes created concerns among potential responders about liabilities and rate increases resulting from response activities.  The WARN agreement addresses these concerns so they are no longer an issue.

Staff members of small utilities often hold multiple responsibilities in their communities, with many demands on their time.  However, the brief investment to sign the WARN agreement will pay off when utilities need help in restoring services, should they ever face an emergency that puts the public at risk.

For more information on WARNs, consult the manual, Utilities Helping Utilities: An Action Plan for Mutual Aid and Assistance Networks for Water and Wastewater Utilities by Kevin Morley, American Water Works Association and Ray Riordan, California Utilities Emergency Association, March, 2006.  This publication can be found at http://www.awwa.org/files/Utilities_Helping_Utilities.pdf