Evergreen Rural Water of Washington

What is WARN?

• WARN is a Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network that allows water and wastewater systems to receive rapid mutual aid and assistance from other systems in an emergency. Utilities sign the WARN standard agreement which then allows them to share resources with any other system in Washington that has also signed the agreement.

How does a utility get assistance during an emergency?

• The WARN member who needs help identifies the resources needed to respond.
• The WARN member can either directly contact a fellow member who has the necessary resources or use a state specific process of requesting aid.

Are member utilities required to respond and send resources?

• There is no obligation to respond. It is up to the lending utility to determine if resources are available.

What role does the Agreement play?

• During an emergency the process and procedures to give and receive assistance are governed by articles in the WARN agreement. The agreement covers issues such as requesting assistance, giving assistance, reimbursement, workers' compensation, insurance, liability, and dispute resolution.

How is WARN different from an existing statewide mutual aid program managed by emergency management?

• WARN agreements do not require a local declaration of emergency.
• Statewide programs do not include private utilities. WARN agreements do.
• Statewide agreements are managed by the state emergency management agency. WARN is managed by utilities.