Strengthen Operational Resilience on National PrepareAthon Day

Today is National PrepareAthon Day, a FEMA campaign observed annually on April 30th. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of having preparedness measures in place in case of emergencies like natural or human-made disasters. As part of this campaign, WaterISAC is sharing resources from EPA, FEMA, CISA and other organizations to help utilities enhance their operational resilience across the all-hazards threat landscape.

Understand the Threat Landscape

FEMA – Know Your Hazards

FEMA – Protective Actions Research

DHS – Homeland Threat Assessment

NOAA – National Weather Service

Assess Risks

EPA – Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool: Assess risk to human-made threats and natural hazards (recommended for large systems).

EPA – Small System Risk and Resilience Assessment Checklist: Assess risk to human-made threats and natural hazards (recommended for small systems).  

EPA – Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool: Assess risk to climate change impacts and build resilience through adaptation. 

EPA – Resilient Strategies Guide: Identify assets that are vulnerable to climate impacts and learn about strategies and funding options for adaptation. 

CISA – Infrastructure Survey Tool (IST)

CISA – Personal Security Considerations Action Guide: Critical Infrastructure Workers

Plan for Emergencies

EPA – Emergency Response Plan Template and Instructions: This resource can be used to develop a step-by-step plan to respond when an emergency strikes.

CISA – Security Planning Workbook

EPA – Incident Action Checklists for Water Utilities

Mitigation Guidance

CISA – Preventing Workplace Violence: Security Awareness Considerations Infographic

CISA – Insider Threat Mitigation

CISA – Active Shooter Preparedness

CISA – Bombing Prevention

CISA – Vehicle Ramming Mitigation

CISA – Be Air Aware™

Find out more about preparedness guidance and resources at FEMA and read more about resilience for water and wastewater utilities at EPA.