Disaster Recovery / Responding to Emergencies - York

MRWA is offering additional free courses on disaster recovery and responding to emergencies in locations that were impacted by events that occurred in 2022. These classes are hands on and aim to engage with operators from counties impacted by extreme events. These classes will provide additional valuable information as to how operators can reflect and learn from past experiences in order to prepare for future events. Attendees will participate in this interactive discussion and learn from actual experience(s). 

Attendees will review the following learning objectives:

1. The call and how to respond
   1. What is the nature of the emergency?
   2. What resources will you need immediately, both personal and professional
   3. How will you access the location and how long will you be there?
2. Assessing the situation on site
   1. What are the immediate dangers?
      • Safety concerns for you and the staff
      • Condition of assets

1. 1. Setting up a hierarchy of command
      • Who’s doing what?
      • Allocating the talent to where it best serves the situation

1. 3. Coordinating with contractors and other non-Water System agencies and resources

3. Water pressure is restored! Now what?
   1. Public notification, boil orders, or more?
   2. Assessing damage to the distribution system
4. NIMS/ICS Overview
5. Group Scenarios (Mini TTX)

This class is offered at no cost through a MRWA program funding by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Class Fee: FREE

State Agency Approval:
Maine BLWSO: 6.0 TCHs for Water Operators
Maine DEP: 6.0 TCHs for Wastewater Operators

Speakers:

Matt Demers, Director of Contract Utility Services, Maine Rural Water Association

Matthew Demers, ME WARN Administrator, has over 20 years of experience in treatment, maintenance, operations, construction, and management of water and wastewater utilities. He currently holds his Grade 4 Water Treatment and Distribution licenses. Matt had served on the Milo Fire Department for 33 years in every role from Junior Firefighter up through the ranks to Chief.

Eric Nystrom, EPA Technical Assistance Provider, Maine Rural Water Association

Eric Nystrom, EPA Training and Technical Assistance Team Member, graduated from the University of Maine at Machias in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies concentrating in Policy. In 1997 Eric was employed by the Kennebunk Kennebunkport & Wells Water District as a water treatment operator in training. By 1999 Eric had acquired a Class IV Treatment and Distribution License granted by the State of Maine. At the end of 1999 Eric took a position as an operator working for Raytheon located on the United States Army Garrison at Kwajalein Atoll located in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. For the next 24 years Eric worked his way through the ranks of supervisor, manager, and then superintendent of three Class IV military treatment facilities. In 2024 Eric accepted a position as a Technical Adviser for Maine Rural Water Association.