Title
FlaWARN (Florida's Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network) Mutual Aid Agreement (B)
Explanation
The FlaWARN Mutual Aid Agreement contains the basic terms and conditions for municipal water and wastewater utilities to provide assistance to one another during times of emergencies. Actions under this Agreement are strictly voluntary. There is no cost associated with being a signatory of the Agreement nor is there any obligation to respond to another utility's request for assistance. However, the Agreement does provide the administrative framework for providing emergency assistance and it would be recognized by state and federal agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as a pre-existing contract. Having such contracts in place prior to an emergency can be an important element in obtaining state or federal disaster assistance.
GRU has entered into a similar Agreement with the Florida Municipal Electric Association and the Florida Municipal Natural Gas Association and been both the giver and the receiver of mutual aid. The benefit of utilities banding together in such an Agreement is significant. No utility can afford staff of sufficient size to deal with all major system restorations in a timely and efficient manner therefore; we need to depend upon each other.
Recommendations
The City Commission authorize the General Manager for Utilities or his designee to execute the FlaWARN Mutual Aid Agreement.
Drafter
Prepared by: David Richardson, AGM for Water/Wastewater Systems
Submitted by: Michael L. Kurtz, General Manager
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
Water & Wastewater Systems
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