Dr. Klas Ohman describes what emergency preparedness looks like for water treatment utilities. Regulatory requirements, legal liabilities and recognizing the financial consequences are driving emergency preparedness planning. He describes some of the operational challenges (finding staff and services rapidly available in an emergency). Situational reports become critical in making decisions. Having measures that define what outcomes should be in a potential emergency are key. Exercises to plan emergency responses are necessary to get good ideas built before the emergency event. Learning from situational reports (SitReps) is not often done but should be essential. Developing a emergency preparedness culture in municipalities is the overall outcome to strive for.
Dr. Klas Ohman is a senior water and environmental engineer with Associated Engineering. His presentation was part of the CWRA/WPAC Joint Conference, Red Deer, Alberta, March 13-14, 2103.
