FlaWARN Update

May 24, 2006

As FlaWARN commemorates its first very successful year, we are fast preparing for the 2006 hurricane season. The website is being fully revamped and upgraded with added features including a much more detailed Event Tracking System. Now, “before the storm”, would be a good time for all members to visit the website to verify and update profile data, particularly any new or changed emergency contact information.

In 2005 FlaWARN members responded to Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma. The Hurricane Katrina response set a precedent for coordinated interstate response for water and wastewater utilities. In less than 12 months, FlaWARN went from a good idea to a national leader in mutual aid for water and wastewater utilities. At the state FSAWWA meeting in November, FlaWARN hosted a WARN meeting to share information with other states about setting up a WARN organization. Approximately 30 people attended including: EPA, AWWA, RWA, DOJ and several other state representatives. Since that meeting, over 23 states have contacted FlaWARN leadership seeking information on how to set up similar organizations. Several members of the Steering Committee have traveled to other states to talk about FlaWARN.

On a national level, eight of the national professional water and wastewater organizations have signed a Joint Policy on Mutual Aid and Assistance Networks (PDF).

At the November Steering Committee (SC) meeting Scott Kelly (JEA) was elected as Chairman and Gary Williams (FRWA) was elected as Vice-Chairman of FLAWARN. In addition Brian Wheeler (TOHO), Richard Griswold (DWI) and Scott Kelly were added as members at large. Since November, Tom King (NASA) has replaced Brad Macek as the FWPCOA representative and Brad Jewell (OUC) has replaced Rob Hungate as the FSAWWA. For the updated list of SC members visit the committees page on this site.

Ongoing enhancements to the FlaWARN organization include expanding the FlaWARN web site functionality utilizing the lessons learned during the 2005 hurricane season. These enhancements include some new functions, enhancement of existing functionality, and general site improvements.

FlaWARN’s successful first year was recognized with an award received at the Florida Water Resource Conference (FWRC) held April 11, 2006 in Orlando.

FlaWARN steering committee members are also working on Hurricane Response and Preparedness Best Management Practices for Florida’s Water and Wastewater Systems. These BMPs will include Emergency Preparedness, Preparing for a Hurricane and After the Hurricane – Restoring Service and Responding. The first draft of the BMPs was distributed in April at the FlaWARN training session of FWRC.

Congratulations to the following utilities and their hardworking personnel that provided assistance during the 2005 storm season.

  • Hurricane Dennis

    • JEA
  • Hurricane Katrina

    • JEA
    • Gainesville Regional Utilities
    • Orlando Utilities Commission
    • Orange County Utilities
    • Toho Water Authority
    • Emerald Coast Utility Authority
    • Destin Water Users
    • South Walton Utilities
    • Seminole County Environmental Services
    • City of Stuart
    • City of Winter Park
    • City of Atlantic Beach
    • City of St Cloud
    • Florida Rural Water Association
    • Tampa Bay Water Authority
  • Hurricane Rita

    • JEA
    • City of Dunedin
    • Destin Water Users
    • Tampa Bay Water Authority
    • Florida Rural Water Association
  • Hurricane Wilma

    • City of Naples
    • City of Tampa
    • Tampa Bay Water
    • Charlotte Harbor Water Association
    • Aqua Utilities
    • City of Avon Park
    • City of Lake Placid
    • City of Wauchula
    • Bonita Springs Utilities
    • Hernando County Utilities
    • Pinellas County Utilities
    • Manatee County Utilities
    • City of Bradenton
    • Gasparilla Island Water Association
    • Toho Water Authority
    • Charlotte County Utilities
    • City of Punta Gorda
    • City of Venice
    • Florida Rural Water Association
    • City of Cocoa
    • City of Titusville
    • Hurricane Wilma (continued)
    • Brevard County Utilities
    • Palm Beach County Utilities
    • Martin County Utilities
    • City of Stuart
    • City of Plant City
    • City of Bartow
    • City of Tallahassee
    • Orlando Utilities Authority
    • Orange County Utilities
    • Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
    • Destin Water Users
    • South Walton Utilities
    • St Johns County Utilities
    • City of St Petersburg
    • Fort Pierce Utility Authority
    • Seminole County Utilities
    • City of St Cloud
    • City of Winter Springs
    • Port St Joe Utilities
    • City of Ocala
    • Clay County Utility Authority
    • JEA
    • Gainesville Regional Utility
    • City of Dunedin