Custom Water Response Team Training

In order to further develop the training and knowledge of the EPA Region 8 Water Emergency Response Team and Emergency Response individuals, we are looking to get customized training developed for performing on-site damage assessments of water facilities (drinking water and wastewater) after a major disaster/emergency situation. This training would include a basic understanding of how a facility works and provide enough information and hands-on experience such that, after a major emergency event (natural or man-made), an individual from this course would have the basic tools, knowledge, and familiarity needed to safely and effectively be deployed to do damage assessments on these types of facilities. The training would be comprised of both a “classroom” and an “in the field” component such that each trainee would receive sufficient "hands-on" experience. The training would also be customized to incorporate some of our own internal past procedures and expertise. The number of participants would be around 15 with varying levels of expertise (from little to no knowledge base up to people who have been deployed for responses and are familiar with how the different types of facilities work). The level to which all trainees would become trained is such that they could go out and perform these types of assessments in the field during disaster situations as necessary. Deployment for this team will occur under FEMA Emergency Support Function 3 (ESF3): Public Works and Engineering Annex (more information can be referenced at www.fema.gov).