R2009-78 AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION ILLINOIS WATER/WASTEWATER AGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK AGREEMENT

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DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT Memorandum No. 2009-11 May 6, 2009 TO: Honorable Ma or Michael T. McElro and Cit Council Y Y Y FROM: R an P. McCrad , Cit Mana er� Y Y Y g John A. Smith, Assistant City Manager for Public Services Keith D. Alexander, Director of Water Management � SUBJECT: Illinois Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (ILWARN) Agreement SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Council adopt the attached Resolution approving the Illinois Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (ILWARN) agreement and authorizing the Mayor and City staff to sign the agreement. BACKGROUND: ILWARN is the water and wastewater agency equivalent to the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN) that Council authorized the City to join in December 2008. ILWARN recently began accepting membership applications. Cities that have joined so far include Springfield and Chicago. Several other water utilities and communities are going through the process ofjoining. ILWARN DETAILS: Based on three other models, Ca1WARN, F1aWARN and TxWARN; ILWARN is designed to provide a utility-to-utility response during an emergency. ILWARN's mission is to support and promote statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response, and mutual assistance matters for public and private water and wastewater utilities for natural and man-made events. Through ILWARN's website (www.ILWARN.org) a member can request emergency equipment (pumps, generators, chlorinators, evacuators, etc.) and trained personnel (e.g. treatment plant operators) that they may need in an emergency. The ILWARN program provides its member utilities with: • A standard omnibus mutual assistance agreement and process for sharing emergency resources among members statewide. • The resources to respond and recover more quickly from a disaster.