AWWA ACE68781

This powerpoint presentation begins by providing a brief overview of the federal strategy for a coordinated approach to Homeland Security. The relationship of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework (NRF) is presented, along with the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), and the Water Sector Vision. Sector Specific Plan (SSP) goals are listed, including: sustain protection of public health and the environment; recognize and reduce risks in the water sector; maintain a resilient infrastructure; and, increase communication, outreach, and public confidence. In support of the third goal of the SSP, the water sector is leveraging the success and lessons learned from existing intrastate mutual aid and assistance networks to support the formation of state-level Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARNs). Information on WARN national workshops sponsored by AWWA is presented, along with the WARN Action Plan as presented in the AWWA publication, "Utilities Helping Utilities". It outlines 10 key steps in the formation of a WARN, includes a sample agreement that satisfies NIMS and comparative assessment of existing WARN programs, and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a model for the water sector. Active projects to support WARN are listed, along with another AWWA publication on resource typing, "Water and Wastewater Mutual Aid and Assistance Resource Typing Manual." Includes 4 references, table, figures.