References for Preparedness
Reference Description Date
A Day Without Water: A video introduction to the CBWR Tool Exit DisclaimerShows that communities may not be prepared for an interruption to water and wastewater services and introduces EPA's Community-Based Water Resiliency (CBWR) Tool. November 30, 2012
AWWA Process Control System Security Guidance for the Water Sector and Use-Case Tool A cybersecurity resource and tool designed to provide actionable information for utility owner/operators based on their use of process control systems. January 1, 2014
Bioterrorism Act Requires community drinking water systems serving populations of more than 3,300 persons to conduct assessments of their vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks or other intentional acts. December 3, 2012
Business Continuity Plan This FEMA page provides information on Business Continuity Planning, including worksheets, recovery strategies, and links to helpful resources. December 19, 2012
CDC's Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox Practical guide and protocol for communicating with stakeholders and the public about water advisories that is based upon research and identified practices. March 5, 2013
Collaborative State-Level Water Sector Emergency Response Exercises 2009-2011: Lessons Learned Lessons learned from several water-sector focused tabletop exercises conducted around the country. May 1, 2012
Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Insider Threat Center at Carnegie Mellon University The CERT Insider Threat Center conducts empirical research and analysis to develop and transition socio-technical solutions to combat insider cyber threats. June 5, 2012
Credentialing - FEMA's Resource Management This page explains credentialing and how it fits into the resource management process. January 13, 2013
Effective Risk and Crisis Communication During Water Security Emergencies: Report Of EPA Sponsored Message Mapping Workshops Results of the EPA-sponsored message mapping workshops held in 2005 and 2006 for water sector organizations. January 13, 2014
Emergency Action Plan (Template) Blank template a utility can use to design an emergency action plan. October 1, 2001
Emergency/Incident Planning, Response, and Recovery This page contains links to a variety of guidance documents and other informative resources to support drinking water and wastewater utility preparedness, response and recovery. November 4, 2013
EPA Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Small and Medium Community Water Systems Assists community water systems serving a population between 3,301 and 99,999 in developing or revising emergency response plans (ERPs). April 1, 2004
EPA Large Water System Emergency Response Plan Outline: Guidance to Assist Community Water Systems in Complying with the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 This outline assists large water utility systems in creating and maintaining emergency response plans (ERPs). July 1, 2003
EPA's Community-Based Water Resiliency (CBWR) Provides resources and tools on EPA's Community-Based Water Resiliency (CBWR) initiative which aims to raise awareness of water sector interdependencies and increase preparedness and resiliency of drinking water and wastewater utilities. May 21, 2013
EPA's Coordination of the Water Sector and Emergency Services Sectors: An Important Step to Better Response This fact sheet explains how drinking water and wastewater utilities can better partner with the Emergency Services Sector during an incident response. February 1, 2012
EPA's Planning for an Emergency Drinking Water Supply Reviews roles and responsibilities among various levels of government regarding emergency water supplies and seeks to encourage collaboration and partnership regarding emergency water supply planning. June 1, 2011
EPA's Response Protocol Toolbox Contains six modules designed to help the water sector effectively and appropriately respond to intentional contamination threats and incidents. The toolbox provides worksheets, forms, and templates. November 4, 2013
EPA's Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) This page provides information and resources on mutual aid and assistance including WARNs. September 4, 2013
Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool This U.S. Department of Labor eTool helps small, low-hazard service or retail businesses implement an emergency action plan and comply with OSHA's emergency standards. January 15, 2014
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs Provides funding for eligible mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages. September 18, 2013
FEMA Incident Action Planning Guide (IAP) Explains how to plan and execute operations during any incident. January 1, 2012
FEMA's Emergency Management Institute Provides training to federal, state, local, tribal, volunteer, public, and private sector officials to strengthen emergency management core competencies for professional, career-long training. December 6, 2013
FEMA's Grant Applicant Resources Guidance and policies on the hazard mitigation assistance grant programs, along with necessary forms and other resources to assist applicants applying for funding under these grant programs. August 2, 2013
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Funding Under Section 406 Information on the policy and guidelines for using hazard mitigation discretionary funding available under the Stafford Act. June 22, 2012
Government Emergency Telecommunication Service (GETS) GETS is intended to be used in an emergency or crisis situation when the landline network is congested and the probability of completing a normal call is reduced. January 15, 2014
Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) A capabilities- and performance-based exercise program that was developed to provide a national standard for exercises with common exercise policy and program guidance. June 17, 2016
How to Develop a Multi-Year Training & Exercise (T&E) Plan Assists drinking water and wastewater utilities in developing multi-year training and exercise (T&E) plans. May 1, 2011
Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training This page contains links to water sector-specific training materials on ICS and NIMS programs, including recorded Webinars and presentations. January 15, 2014
Need to Know: Anticipating the Public's Questions during a Water Emergency Provides guidance on what information should be shared if/when there has been a contamination incident and what methods and messages should be used to disseminate that information. January 13, 2014
Onondaga County Water Authority Directed Response Action Sheet A set of forms with specific notification and response actions to complete for responding to different types of incidents. (filesize: 279.55 KB) January 15, 2014
Preparedness, Emergency Response, and Recovery CIPAC Workgroup All-Hazard Consequence Management Planning for the Water Sector Helps water utilities incorporate all-hazard consequence management planning into emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plans. November 1, 2009
Storm Surge Inundation Map The Storm Surge Inundation Map application presents a series of maps of projected storm variables as part of the EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities initiative to illustrate Coastal Storm Surge Scenarios for water utilities.
Tabletop Exercise Tool for Water Systems: Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Climate Resiliency (TTX Tool) Contains materials that assist in planning and facilitating water sector-specific tabletop exercises. June 1, 2010
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) The American Works Association (AWWA) aims to advance public health, safety, and welfare by uniting the efforts of the entire water community. January 15, 2014
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) NACWA is involved in all facets of water quality protection and has built relationships with members of Congress, Presidential administrations, and the EPA. January 1, 2014
The National Rural Water Association NRWA's provides support services to state associations that have more than 26,696 water and wastewater systems as members. October 20, 2013
Water & Wastewater Mutual Aid & Assistance Resource Typing Manual American Water Works Association (AWWA) manual that provides guidance to water and wastewater utilities when they request and provide mutual aid and assistance resources during and after an emergency. April 1, 2008
WERF Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Wastewater Systems Contains guidance for wastewater utilities on how to create an emergency response plan. June 29, 2005
Wireless Priority Service (WPS) Provides national security and emergency preparedness personnel priority access and prioritized processing in all nationwide and several regional cellular networks. January 15, 2014
Workshop Planner for Climate Change and Extreme Events Adaptation This tool assists drinking water and wastewater utility staff, technical assistance providers, community leaders and other stakeholders in conducting climate change adaptation workshops; it generates materials tailored to your location and provides helpful guidance for hosting a successful workshop.
WRF/EPA Business Continuity Plan Training for Water Utilities Provides resources and training on the Water Research Foundation and EPA's Business Continuity Plan Toolkit. June 18, 2013