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Public Works is a primary emergency responder. When disasters and emergencies occur, Public Works maintenance operations personnel are among the first to respond. Though the primary responsibility is clearing roadways so that other responders can access stricken areas, Public Works also provides traffic control, debris management and assists with rescue, evacuation, damage assessment, infrastructure repair, and restoration of certain services. The national focus in now on building Resiliency, particularly through Critical Infrastructure Protection. Public Works is a major ""owner/operator"" of the transportation, water/ waste water and storm-water systems that are so vital for the safety and health of communities. Though the Homeland Security Department considers Public Works as part of the Emergency Services Sector, overall acceptance and recognition by other disciplines as equal partners in emergency management is still lacking. To overcome this, Public Works must first raise awareness within its own discipline that this is as important as design, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure. Public Works is extensively involved in prevention, mitigation, response and, most importantly, recovery. Besides maintenance operations field staff, engineers, planners, technicians, mechanics and administrative support from all divisions of a Public Works agency and related departments need to be aware of their roles as well. All incidents are local and the vast majority are caused by natural occurrences. Many do not reach the thresholds to qualify for state or federal assistance. Even if they do, local agencies are expected to handle the emergency for the first 72 hours. This presentation by a panel of public works subject matter experts will examine what agencies should do to have the resources, training, policies, and procedures to be ready and responsive for all-hazards incidents. It will also describe the definitive responsibilities and unique capabilities of Public Works in emergencies and planned special events. Our discipline must have a ""seat at the table"" with police, fire and public health when it comes to planning, training, exercising and actual management of incidents.Learning Objectives: Recognize the evolving role of Public Works in local and national emergency management.Assess your agency's current capabilities to deal with all -hazards incidents including extreme weather.Determine what training, equipping and planning is needed to improve your agency's readiness to respond to and recover from all types and levels of emergency situations.
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The United States is spending only 2.4% of GDP on transportation and water infrastructure compared to an average 4% in Europe and 9% in China. Much of the nation's water and sanitary sewer infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life and will require billions of dollars of investment over the next 20 years. The dilemma for water and sewer utilities is how to raise revenues to meet the current and impending needs. Raising rates will require a considerable amount of political will. The City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, developed an effective program for disseminating information to the city council, local businesses, and the public; and in the end, won approval for a $25 million infrastructure improvement plan.Learning Objectives: Communicate infrastructure funding needs in easily understandable terms.Attain community involvement by partnering with groups like the Rotary Club, veterans organizations, and business leaders to be advocates for the necessary rate increases.Take advantage of the programs and results achieved by other cities in setting up your community's plan to address infrastructure funding.
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Don't miss this exploration into how to implement, plan, and conduct a facilities condition assessment (FCA). You will hear firsthand about Sumter County, Florida's experience with the process. They will share the criteria used for selecting a contractor, discuss how to prioritize which facilities/buildings need to addressed first, and describe how they were able to use the collected data for useful budgetary planning.Learning Objectives:Develop a plan of attack in mapping out and prioritizing the process.Evaluate the credentials of contractors to do the facility condition assessments.Use the final delivered report as a ""go-to"" reference to continue improving the operational condition of facilities for years to come.
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It had been 50 years since a major hurricane hit Northeast Florida, but in October 2016, Hurricane Matthew brought damaging winds and flooding to St. Augustine and nearby cities. This session will provide an overview of the storm, its impact on the city, and a candid assessment and lessons learned throughout the event and restoration efforts. Focus will be given to the issues faced by smaller cities with limited resources and broader span of control. Learn from their experiences and take away valuable lessons about how to better prepare for when disaster occurs in your community.Learning Objectives:Assess and compare the preparation, response, and restoration efforts of small cities in Northeast Florida.Identify and evaluate how these experiences can be related to situations and conditions in your own community.Discuss practices and recommend procedures that are successful in hurricane response, including coordinaton with federal, state, and local relief and response agencies.
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Utility companies are using directional drilling as the preferred method for installing cables, pipelines, conduit, and sewers in urban and suburban communities. Directional drilling can significantly reduce impacts on existing infrastructure, reducing the need for roadway restoration and relocation of other utilities. But there can be significant environmental issues if proper monitoring and contingency plans are not in place. This method uses bentonite and polymer in the drilling mud to lubricate the pipe and stabilize the drilling path. Bentonite can be extremely damaging to wetland, river and creek ecosystems. This session will discuss approaches for identification, containment, and clean-up.Learning Objectives:Create contingency plans for directional drilling projects.Identify, contain, and clean-up inadvertent releases from directional drilling.Design, install, and inspect best management practices used in directional drilling.
Read MoreEffective Utility Management (EUM) is a widely recognized water utility management program, developed by sector leaders, based around Ten Key Management Areas of an Effectively Managed Utility and Five Keys to Management Success. EUM is simple, actionable, and affordable – it helps you protect your infrastructure investments and ensure that your workforce is able to address the challenges that they face every day.
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A leading attorney in MN recently reviewed a sample of maintenance policies and discussed their strengths and weaknesses at our road salt symposium. This caused quite a stir and set…
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The City of Pickerington, Ohio, used a multi-faceted approach for public outreach for its $8 million upgrade to the State Route 6 project. This roadway carries well over 50,000 vehicles per day and serves as the primary freeway access for the majority of the city's 45,000 residents. Regular lane closures, new medians, drainage improvements and roadway surfacing were all expected to cause major headaches for motorists and businesses. Learn how the City was able to develop supporters for the project within the community who, in turn, used social media to share the information the City was providing and expressed excitement for the coming changes. The City was able to maintain continued public support for the duration of the project despite several major unforeseen challenges.Learning Objectives: Plan a multi-faceted public relations program for public works projects.Achieve public buy-in and support for a project before it even begins.Maintain public buy-in and support for a project during chaotic construction activities.
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Each garage across the United States hosts its own unique struggle when it comes to snow removal. Variables like road composite, plow speed, and road conditions vary from lane to…
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Sometimes relationships sour, and you know it is time to move on. But often the best course of action in a dysfunctional work family is unclear. Talented public works leaders have options, but figuring out what is right for you and your family, especially while still navigating an unhealthy workplace dynamic, can be very challenging. This presentation will offer advice and tips for surviving and thriving in a difficult work environment. We'll also discuss the best options for ""breaking up"" with your workplace, including anticipating, preparing for, and reacting to being laid off or fired.Learning Objectives:Know when their workplace relationships are ""on the ropes""Discover ways to improve a dysfunctional workplace.Handle a layoff or termination with grace and dignity.
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