In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, emergency response was and remains a high priority. Among the most effective emergency response tools for utilities are water and wastewater agency response networks (WARNs).
WARNs are based on voluntary mutual-aid agreements among utilities to provide personnel, equipment, materials, and so on to utilities affected by disasters. These agreements, before the fact, provide answers to questions about legal and financial issues that could prevent speedy aid.
Most states and many Canadian provinces have created WARN systems. A map showing all of these networks can be accessed at the WARN home page.
For information on joining/creating a WARN, see the WARN Resources Web page.
More information emergency resources
- Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Emergency/Incident Planning, Response, and Recovery — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center — Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Washington, D.C.)
Articles on disaster preparedness