The IAMU Mutual Aid Regional Meetings will provide attendees with information about the IAMU Mutual Aid program, the new Mutual Aid website, and allow utilty personnel to meet with participating program members from across the state. An informational session will be complemented with a Mutual Aid program update, roundtable discussion, and Q&A segment.

Utility personnel are free to attend any meeting location, not just one that is close to their region.

Who Should Attend?
Each utility’s primary Mutual Aid contact and/or any person(s) involved in Mutual Aid response in Electric, Gas, and Broadband utilities.

Regional Meeting Dates and Locations
Monday, May 22nd
Cass County Community Center
805 West 10th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022
Hosted by: Atlantic Municipal Utilities

Tuesday, May 23rd
Spencer Municipal Utilities
520 2nd Avenue East, Suite 1, Spencer, IA 51301
Hosted by: Spencer Municipal Utilities

Wednesday, May 24th
Cedar Falls Utilities
One Utility Parkway, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Hosted by: Cedar Falls Utilities

Thursday, May 25th
Muscatine Power & Water
3205 Cedar Street, Muscatine, IA 52761
Hosted by: Muscatine Power & Water

Friday, May 26th
IAMU Training & Office Complex
1735 NE 70th Ave., Ankeny, IA 50021
Hosted by: IAMU

Learn about the APPA Mutual Aid Playbook that IAMU helped to develop.

Mutual aid among utilities can make all the difference after a severe storm or natural disaster hits, and following a well-thought-out, comprehensive system that outlines when and how assistance happens is crucial. That’s why the American Public Power Association (APPA), with the help of the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU), developed a Mutual Aid Playbook for utilities across the country to use during emergencies.

Save the Date
To learn more about mutual aid, plan to attend one of five regional mutual aid meetings around the state that IAMU will hold during the week of May 22. IAMU electric, gas, and broadband members will be invited to hear more about:

• The IAMU Mutual Aid Program
•  The APPA Mutual Aid Playbook
• The new Mutual Aid website

The locations and times for these regional meetings will be announced in the coming weeks.

On November 9^th and 10^th, 2015, IAMU will hold a FEMA Reimbursement & Disaster Response Plan workshop at the IAMU training complex.  This workshop is relevant for all utilities: broadband, electric, gas, and water. 

In a federally declared disaster, the goal should be to get all the money your utility deserves as rapidly as possible.  Most utilities are leaving big $$$ on the table. FEMA will generally pay 75% of the damage costs. In this presentation, participants will learn what decisions and actions you can undertake to achieve that goal.  Get all the money you qualify for and get it faster.

The other side of this process is your disaster response plan.  Do you have a disaster plan in place?  The main objectives of the Disaster Response Plan is to restore facilities and service, as rapidly as possible in order to minimize the impact from a loss of facilities and services on the utility and to reduce the loss of possible revenue.  You will leave with the basic tools needed to develop your own plan.

Our instructor is Marci Lopez P.E. Mr. Lopez has 35 years of experience as an Electrical Engineer and Senior Manager with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and nearly 10 years of experience with FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for public agencies.  Mr. Lopez has taught utilities across the country how to develop their disaster plans and how to navigate the FEMA process.

• November 9th: Registration: 12:30—1:00 p.m.
• Program begins: 1:00 p.m., end of day 4:30 p.m.
• November 10th: Program Continues: 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Register online here.  You may now pay by credit card on-line.      

Class size will be limited, so register now to reserve your seat.     

Here is the agenda with the questions that will be answered during the workshop:

• What are the main causes to leave money on the table with FEMA?
• How can you ensure that you will not lose money due to estimated future costs?
• At what times in the disaster process does you interact with FEMA?
• What typical costs are eligible for FEMA reimbursement?
• What are the significant costs to the utility business systems?
• How can a public agency get its money faster?
• How is the disaster response activated?
• How are employees activated?
• What is the initial action for employees?
• How is the disaster response managed and coordinated?
• Where should the disaster coordination center be located?
• What is an emergency declaration?
• How does the utility coordinate and communicate with outside public agencies?
• What are the priorities for restoration?
• How important is mutual aid?
• What is a standing order?
• What is unique about man-made emergencies?
• What are essential business functions?
• In what ways is the recovery effort supported?
• How are employees supported?
• What are the essential FEMA interfaces in a federally declared disaster?