Navigating Current Disaster Response Plans And Unique Training In California's Diverse Water Utilities | feat. Alix Stayton

Isaac is joined by Alix Stayton, the Emergency Management Coordinator for California's Public Water Agencies Group (PWAG), to discuss the unique challenges faced by California's diverse water utilities, emphasizing the need for tailored emergency plans and training.

Discover her journey from consultant to emergency manager, driven by experiences during Hurricane Katrina. She highlights the role of coordination and mutual aid among utilities, regardless of size, especially in tackling issues like wildfires and cybersecurity threats. Alix discusses the California Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (CalWARN) and its contribution to statewide assistance efforts. Gain valuable insights into the world of emergency management within the water sector and the ongoing quest to enhance preparedness and resilience.

Also in this episode: 

• Importance Of Training And Preparation: Understanding how disaster response and relief mechanisms work, along with proper training, helps individuals and organizations align with established structures for more effective assistance.
• Versatility In Emergency Management: The versatility of emergency management and its applicability in various contexts.
• Critical Infrastructure Focus: Utilities play a critical role in disaster response, as they provide essential resources like water and power to first responders during emergencies.
• Collaboration Among Water Districts: Sharing resources, information, and expertise among these districts to enhance their collective preparedness.
• Mutual Aid And Support: Mutual aid and coordination with consultants to provide support functions during emergencies ensures that even smaller districts can receive assistance when needed.

 

About Alix Stayton:

With more than 15 years in emergency management, Alix Stayton provides full-cycle emergency management services. As both a consultant and a staff member in the course of that time, she has worked on plans for public, private and nonprofit sector organizations and clients. Alix develops, delivers and evaluates training and exercises aligned with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program. She has contributed to public health and emergency preparedness, response and recovery projects with cities, counties, higher education institutions, and various committees, working groups and coalitions.

A regular contributor to the field, Alix has spoken at the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters conference, the California Emergency Services Association conference, the Emergency Information Infrastructure Partnership Forum and others. She has led the LA City Business Operations Center during wildfire response and the Irvine Ranch Water District virtual EOC during the 2020 COVID-19 activation. She has been published in the American Journal of Public Health and Cambridge University Press. Ms. Stayton serves on the IAEM Children in Disasters Caucus and the Women in Homeland Security programs committee.

She is currently the Emergency Management Coordinator for Public Water Agencies Group (PWAG), providing support to 18 public (non-city) wholesale and retail water agencies in Los Angeles County. She focuses on preparedness, response and recovery as well as mutual aid and coordination with city, county and state-level response partners.

 

Connect With Alix Stayton: 

LinkedIn

 

Subscribe To The Utilities Emergency Response Podcast: 

.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}