New Haven, CT – The Regional Water Authority (RWA) conducted a table top exercise to test the emergency preparedness of its Incident Command System (ICS) on January 10, 2018.

Emergency responders from Branford, East Haven and New Haven participated in the exercise. Representatives from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) and the East Shore Health District were also present as participants.

The exercise simulated the rollover of a tanker truck on I-95 and contamination of the RWA's Lake Saltonstall reservoir. During this fictional scenario, the RWA used a variety of hazard-specific emergency response plans to test its response capabilities.

"This exercise was part of our ongoing effort to ensure operational readiness in case of an emergency and to test our emergency programs and systems in advance of a crisis situation," said James Flynn, RWA Vice President of Operations. "It allowed us to validate that RWA's emergency plans will function in real time and to identify any shortfalls and strengthen areas of need."

Since 2004, the RWA has worked with Gradient Planning, LLC, preparing and updating its business continuity plans. Kate Novick, Managing Director of Gradient Planning, LLC, said, "The RWA has been at the forefront of emergency response in the water sector, making business continuity planning an essential component of its risk management program. It is well positioned to handle an emergency incident."

The RWA has robust response and recovery procedures in place that are tested in ICS exercises, like this, each year. In the event of an emergency with the potential to affect the public drinking water supply, the RWA uses an all-hazards incident management plan which allows them to quickly organize their emergency response and recovery efforts