Florida Rural Water Association has responded in helping utilities to recover quickly in every major storm to hit Florida over the past several years. These experiences have been documented and are used to develop training programs that emphasize “best management practices” that help Florida utilities respond more effectively to catastrophic storms. The training consists of both classroom and hands-on training and assists utilities in enhancing their employee’s skills and their emergency response procedures.
       These FRWA training activities are coordinated with FlaWARN, Florida’s water and wastewater utility response network and the local utility experts where the training is held.
Recent programs included Electrical Safety and Generator training held at Charlotte County Utilities and at the University of Florida TREEO Center assisted by Gainesville Regional Utilities.
Electrical Safety and Generator training consists of a one day session that introduces participants to the effective use of emergency response equipment, provides the participants training in basic electrical safety and in applied electrical workplace safety. The applied safety instruction is targeted at recognizing typical unsafe conditions that are frequently encountered in the water and wastewater environment and controlling these hazards. Inside classroom training modules are followed by demonstrations of the control and operation of electric motors and pumps using real equipment. This training provides
       Utility operators with an improved understanding of both the hazards inherent in utility operation and in how equipment is controlled and properly operated.
      The afternoon session consists of hand-on instruction in the proper method of connecting single phase generators to variable frequency drives (VFD) and connecting three phase generators to lift stations and wells. The single to three phase conversion can run a lift stations or a well in a loss of power situation. The VFD operation is adaptable to small and large utilities alike and provides an inexpensive alternative to three phase temporary power that allows operation of one pump in a lift station or at a well site. This instruction is followed by demonstrating the proper methods for connecting three phase generators and requires the participants demonstrate competency in operating a lift station or a water well using a three phase generator, a live control panel and a three phase motor.
       Attendees at these classes are credentialed by FRWA and after the training, are fully qualified to size generator installations and to safely make emergency power connections.
Other new emergency preparedness training classes offered by FRWA, includes a hurricane response drill that is used to prepare utilities in specific geographical areas to plan effectively and integrate response efforts to bring water and wastewater utilities to operating status as soon as possible after a major hurricane passes.
       This FRWA hurricane exercise was modeled after the Hurricane Thunder Drill conducted at JEA in late May. Hurricane Thunder was a cooperative effort created by AWWA, USEPA and JEA, and tested JEA capabilities to respond to a Category 2 hurricane that simulated a landfall near Jacksonville.
       Materials from the Thunder drill were modified by FRWA to create response scenarios that tested utility readiness to react effectively to a real hurricane (Opal) that previously struck the Destin Florida area. The drill sponsored by the NW District of DEP, FlaWARN and Destin Water Users, used a Category 3 hurricane and acquainted participants with the aspects of planning, operation, logistics and financial support in responding to a storm of this magnitude.
The Destin area drill known as “Hurricane Alpha” used materials that were designed to be easily modified and can be used to test water and wastewater utility capabilities against real historical events in other areas of the state.
       FRWA continues to provide leadership in national emergency response efforts and recently hosted the National Rural Water Association’s In-service Conference in Orlando Florida. Here approximately 100 circuit riders from states outside Florida were trained in the essentials of the effect use of emergency equipment in responding to natural disasters.
      The training was assisted by Gainesville Regional Utilities who provided an instructor and a truck mounted three phase generator. Equipment demonstrated by FRWA included a large portable trailer mounted pump, a tractor operated PTO generator, VFD phase converters and controllers, portable lift station control cabinets, ground penetrating radar for locating buried utility pipelines, satellite phones, electrical monitoring and test equipment and the FRWA portable emergency command center that is used in devastated areas for coordinating utility response efforts.
FRWA is recognized both within Florida and nationally as being a leader in providing best management practices (BMPs) training in response to natural disasters. These initiatives have resulted in the continued growth of the FlaWARN utility response network. The network allows member utilities to help one another quickly and efficiently when a storm hits. Since its inception following the 2004 hurricane season, the network has grown to over 250 members. FlaWARN’s collaborative planning structure, allows smaller FRWA members to benefit by providing trained water and wastewater personnel and equipment to assist them in times of need.
     Natural disasters, whether floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts or fires, will always threaten the continuous operation of water and wastewater utilities. FRWA provides both training and assistance to member utilities when these disasters strike and is committed to keep your utility operating when everything around you might be disabled.

This article was prepared by Robert McVay, PE. Bob is the FRWA Drinking Water Trainer and prepares technical training materials for disaster planning.

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