Update: NYWARN The Perfect Tool for Planning, Emergency Response and Recovery by Connie Schreppel NYWARN Regional Chair, Central Region YWARN has been busy promoting the WARN concept across New York State and was very successfully deployed several times during Super Storm Sandy. There were lessons to be learned from the storm; the emergency response and steering committees are participating with the EPA in an improvement planning exercise over the course of the next few months. This exercise will lead to improved services for our members when the next emergency occurs. Kayla Bronson from the NYSAWWA office and the WARN regional chairs have made several presentations across New York State to increase membership. An attractive WARN display was prepared and staffed at the New York State Emergency Managers Conference and the Association of Towns Conference. An informational meeting was held in the Binghamton area last fall. Upcoming presentations will include the New York Con- N ference of Mayors and a keynote address at the New York Rural Water Association Conference. A NYWARN sponsorship program was launched at the Annual Water Event and Expo in Saratoga Springs. This program will allow vendors and service providers to list their services and resources so that WARN members can easily contact them in an emergency. The sponsorships will also serve as a source of funding to continue the WARN program following the conclusion of the grant funding in 2014. We hope our vendors will support the WARN program and list their services and resources with us. Please help with our response efforts and become a sponsor today by contacting Kayla at Kayla@ nysawwa.org! NYWARN... Continued on page 12 Buried fire hydrant in Ocean Bay Park on Fire Island After Super Storm Sandy. Photo by Phil Thompson. West Hampton Beach, Super Storm Sandy Damage. Photo credit - Suffolk County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES). Destroyed houses on Fire Island after Super Storm Sandy. Photo by Phil Thompson. SPRING SUMMER 2013 AqUARIUS 11