Request Authorization to Participate in the MnWarn Mutual Aid Agreement

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to seek authorization to join the MnWarn Network. 
Background:
MnWARN is a formal emergency response program in Minnesota. MnWARN is a mutual aid agreement to provide a program whereby water, wastewater, and storm water utilities sustaining physical damage from natural or man-made disasters in the state of Minnesota can obtain emergency assistance, in the form of personnel, equipment, and materials and other associated services necessary to protect the health and welfare of the utilities' customers.

 

 

15 Minutes

Observations:

MnWARN assists members utilities with: 
Emergency assessment, emergency response, and recovery.
Mutual Aid Agreement for sharing emergency resources with members.
Resources to help recover from a disaster.
Emergency contact network.
Voluntary participation.
A Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) is a network of utilities helping utilities respond to and recover from emergencies. Mutual Aid/Assistance is one agency helping another based on a written agreement. The assistance is provided across jurisdictional boundaries in the event of an emergency. Participation is voluntary.
 
 

 There is no cost to participate. MnWARN provides a forum for establishing and maintaining emergency contacts. MnWARN program provides a utility with access to specialized, certified, and knowledgeable utility personnel.  If our utility staff were to respond, the associated cost would come out of one of our utility operating budgets, depending on the type of emergency, water, sanitary sewer or storm sewer. Some of these costs are reimbursable from the city receiving emergency aid.
 

Staff recommends entering into a joint powers agreement with the MnWarn emergency response program.

Motion to council to direct Staff to enter into a joint powers agreement with the MnWarn Emergency Response Program.