become a member
IDAHO'S WATER/WASTEWATER AGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK

become a member

How to Join IdWARN

To become a member of IdWARN, you'll need to download, print, complete, and sign the Mutual Aid Agreement.
Once the agreement is completed and signed, you can submit it to IdWARN in one of the following ways:

  1. Scan and email the agreement to: [email protected]
  2. Fax the agreement to: (208) 343-1866
  3. Mail the agreement to: 6395 W. Gowen Rd, Boise, ID 83709

For more information on IdWARN membership, please call (208) 343-7001.


Why Should My Public Utility Join IdWARN?

Emergencies strike without warning and require immediate action. Whether it is a natural disaster, an infrastructure failure, a cyberattack, or another unexpected threat to your system, one of the utmost priorities is restoring drinking water and wastewater services. With the support, expertise, and resources of fellow utilities, IdWARN members have the tools to restore drinking water and wastewater services efficiently and effectively in any unpredictable situation.


Benefits of a voluntary, no-cost membership with IdWARN include:

  • Access to emergency equipment maintained by Idaho Rural Water Association at no cost, including potable water trailers with 1,000 gallon capacity, portable generators of various outputs, sewer cameras, ground penetrating radar, line location and leak detection equipment, valve exercisers, bypass pumps, and more.
  • Exclusive access to drinking water and wastewater utility-specific emergency preparedness training courses to improve the resiliency of each member utility.
  • Immediate access to emergency contacts for utility-specific equipment, personnel, materials, or other resources.
  • Expedited arrival of aid based on local coordination ahead of state or federal response.
  • Eligibility for FEMA disaster reimbursement for federally-declared disasters.
  • Reduced administrative conflict, saving valuable time and resources to access aid.
  • Self-sufficiency to maintain operations and support other critical infrastructure during an emergency.
  • IdWARN is consistent with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
  • IdWARN members have access to the Idaho State web-based emergency operations center to enhance communication, situational awareness, and response from regional supporters.

 

IdWARN is organized into regions that match the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Regions. Members can determine their utility’s region by going to www.deq.idaho.gov/regional-offices.


About Mutual Aid & Assistance Programs

Idaho disasters such as the 1983 Challis earthquake and the 1976 Teton Dam flood, along with events such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, have highlighted the need for water and wastewater utilities to create intrastate mutual aid and assistance programs. Mutual aid programs are critical to utility systems for many reasons:

  • Utilities require specialized resources to sustain operations during disasters.
  • Government response agencies and critical infrastructure rely on water supplies.
  • Utilities must provide their own support until state and federal resources become available.
  • Large events impact regional areas, making assistance from nearby utilities impractical.
  • Disasters impact utility employees and their families, as well as customers.
  • Agreements must be established before disasters occur to be eligible for federal reimbursement.
  • Promotion of mutual aid and assistance meets Office of Energy Management requirements.
  • Small water and wastewater utilities often do not have a large inventory of emergency response equipment. Through IdWARN, systems have access to equipment from larger communities it's necessary.