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AZWARN OVERVIEW CHRISTINE NUÑEZ, AZWARN CHAIR CITY OF PHOENIX, ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS MANAGER AZWARN - WATER/WASTEWATER AGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK The mission of the AZWARN network is to support and promote statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response and mutual aid assistance for water and wastewater utilities during natural and human caused emergencies. A NETWORK OF UTILITIES HELPING UTILITIES AZWARN organizes utilities within AZ through a mutual aid agreement Provide one another assistance - personnel, expertise, and resources in emergencies Natural disasters Human-caused disasters or emergency situations Requests and response are voluntary Each responding organization is reimbursed for labor, materials, etc. by the requesting utility. AZWARN is not a corporation or a governmental unit it is member run and voluntary based. UTILITIES ARE SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS Systems and Instrumentation Distribution and Collection System Dynamics Water and Wastewater Treatment Expertise and Specialized Knowledge Certified Personnel Human Health Ramifications Toxic and Explosive Chemical Handling & Control Regulatory Consequences Unique Laboratory Disciplines AZWARN - WATER/WASTEWATER AGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK Open to all Water and Wastewater utilities in AZ (public and private) Volunteer based AWWA & EPA - National WARN Program No cost (voluntary dues of $250 per year) Training and Workshops – PDH’s Member to Member Assistance via MAA Emergency Management Assistance Compact FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates and actual costs QUICK FACTS Formed and activated in 2008 AZWARN - initiated through AZ Water (azwater.org) and the AZ Water Utility Council 3 Officers and 8-member board By-Laws updated in 2022 Currently @ 45 Members >76% population covered Monthly & Bi-Weekly National WARN Meetings 2018 Mutual Aid Agreement – all water utility concept Utility‑driven model - Utilities organize and manage. WARN operations typically funded by MAA cost‑recovery provisions. 2025 SNAPSHOT 20 - 25 members attend monthly meetings Training : City of Peoria Emergency Manager Statewide Forum ADEQ & AZWARN Security Readiness and Emergency Preparedness for Water & Wastewater Utilities AZ Water Conference Emergency Preparedness Session for Operator Training Track Series Serve as Chair for the Security/AZWARN Committee Mutual Aids Requests: Gila County – Post flooding – hauled water Challenges: Website Water Hauling WARN HISTORY 911 and Hurricane Katrina - drivers for WARN establishment Katrina - No agreement - 40 days to mobilize. Mississippi 3 days to mobilize with an agreement and EMAC . First formal WARN agreement was CalWARN (California), which became the model for other states. Founding members: CALWARN, FLWARN, TXWARN, AZWARN 2007 - U.S. EPA began actively supporting nationwide WARN expansion Initially EPA’s Water Security Division - funding, technical assistance, and coordination to help states form WARN’s and develop agreements. EPA partnered with national water sector associations to promote WARN adoption and provide templates, training, and planning resources Today AWWA works with EPA and some funding still available. CURRENT WARN Compared to its early years, the current WARN system: Operates in every US state Nationwide adopted & standardized New MAA modeled from the original IGA Core model – “ Utilities Helping Utilities” Integrated through emergency management systems MAA’s allow sharing of personnel, equipment, and specialized and technical expertise Inclusive of all utilities: Tribal, small to large systems, public and private. More mature - procedures, exercises, and resource inventories EPA and AWWA - national guidance and resources to keep WARNs aligned BENEFITS OF WARN Regulatory Benefits Sets Terms and Conditions for Utility-to-Utility Assistance Supports FEMA Reimbursement Establishes emergency contacts and protocols Practical Benefits Rapid Assistance – Expeditious Correction Similar or Exact Knowledge Base Certified Personnel Regulatory Compliance Assitance Minimizes Impacts WHY SIGN A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT? Elected leadership and governing boards affirm a commitment to: Operational resilience Rapid response in emergency situations Interagency cooperation Regular collaboration with other utilities Community protection and public health Regulatory Compliance The safety of employees QUESTIONS? Ed Buster, Treasurer, Christine Nuñez, Chair, & David Tavares, Vice Chair azwarn.org