Alaska Water / Wastewater Agency Response Network (AKWARN)
A network of utilities helping other utilities to respond to and recover from emergencies.
National WARN Project
A Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) is a network of utilities helping other utilities to respond to and recover from emergencies. While the WARN initiative is coordinated by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), WARNs are organized on a state-by-state basis and managed by the utilities. Thirty-four states have established a WARN, and Alaska is currently working towards the development of AKWARN.
The WARN Program assists water/wastewater utilities in providing mutual aid whenever a significant service interruption may require support beyond a local utility’s immediately available resources. The goal is to assist in the rapid recovery of service for the protection of the public health, the environment, and your local community.
The intrastate WARN relies on a Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement, which sets terms for activation, reimbursement, liability, and other shared issues. Participation is voluntary, with no obligation to respond and no membership fee.
How To Participate In AKWARN
The framework of a WARN offers a forum for establishing and maintaining emergency contacts, provides expedited access to specialized resources needed to respond to and recover from emergencies that disrupt water/wastewater utilities, and facilitates training that specifically focuses on the exchange of resources during an emergency. The following leaders in the water community and government agencies have joined together to develop AKWARN: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Alaska Water Wastewater Management Association, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Alaska Rural Water Association, and the Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management.
Participation is open to water and wastewater utilities. Please review the AKWARN Agreement and provide your concerns or comments to the AKWARN Steering Committee. Also, if you have an interest in becoming an active member of the Steering Committee, or would just like to contribute additional direction or input during these development stages of AKWARN, your time would be greatly appreciated.
Useful Tools and Links
Free Cybersecurity Services and Tool
EMI works with the whole community to provide NIMS training. The Preparedness Branch coordinates EMI’s NIMS efforts with the National Integration Center to match doctrine and training to community needs.
The National Resource Hub is a suite of web-based tools that support a consistent approach for the resource management preparedness process
CISA lists its free cybersecurity services and additional no-cost tools offered by public and private organizations.
Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management