How Does My Utility Participate?

Participation in MnWARN is voluntary and membership is free. To participate in MnWARN, simply fill out the Membership Information Form and Membership Application Questionnaire and submit to MnWARN along with the Mutual Aid Agreement and Resolution. The governing entity must adopt the Mutual Aid Agreement and Resolution. MnWARN also recommends that a sample equipment schedule of fees be adopted by your governing entity. In the event of a MnWARN response, if a schedule of charges is not agreed upon, the default will be FEMA rate of reimbursement.

Members must identify Authorized Officials and alternates, provide contact information including 24-hour access, and maintain resource information made available by the utility for mutual aid and assistance response. This is done in the application process and should be updated annually.

A good resource to download:  Understanding how insurance works in mutual aid situations.

What is a MnWARN Event?

MnWARN can be activated only when there has been a formal declaration of an emergency issued by a community's authorized official or alternate, whose name is listed as such on the MnWARN Web site (Mutual Aid Agreement, Article II, Subpart D and Article IV, Subpart A). Once activated, both parties would be acting under the provisions of the Mutual Aid Agreement.

While services may be exchanged among parties who are both MnWARN members, without the formal declaration of an emergency, such activity would not qualify as a MnWARN event and would occur outside of the MnWARN response network.

What is an Emergency?

Any occurrence that is, or is likely to be, beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, or facilities of a Party's utility (Article II, Subpart D). Emergencies are generally unforeseen events.

Participation in MnWARN does not create any duty to respond to a request for assistance. When a Member receives a request for assistance, the Authorized Official shall have absolute discretion as to the availability of resources. An Authorized Member’s decisions on the availability of resources shall be final.

Requests for Assistance

Any water or wastewater utility in Minnesota can request assistance from MnWARN by calling the Minnesota Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798.
The Duty Officer will call the appropriate Regional Director. The Duty Officer is for MnWARN events only - all questions regarding MnWARN should be directed to the MnWARN directors. Assistance can be in the form of equipment, supplies, or trained personnel. During an emergency, MnWARN will match equipment, resources, and personnel with those best available within the MnWARN network. MnWARN will coordinate relief efforts for the donating and receiving utility through the incident command center. MnWARN will work with the corresponding local, state, and federal agencies as necessary.

©MnWARN 2008—All rights reserved