Get Eligible for Security Grants
Operators from several water systems have asked recently about whether water system security grants are available, and what to do to get them. The short answer starts with "Yes, but..."
In the early 2000s, DHHS started the security grant program using funds from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF). We looked at the description of uses in Federal guidance that the funds could be used for, and received approval from US EPA Region 7 for the program.
We first had to develop a set of rules to implement the program. At first, they were pretty simple, but over the years they have grown more complicated. However, one requirement has been a constant for the life of the program: At least one licensed water operator for a system had to have successfully passed the Incident Command System/National Incident Management System training, or ICS/NIMS.
At first, it was just two modules: ICS-100 and ICS-200. Later, we added ICS-700. The requirement for ICS/NIMS 100, 200, and 700 training still exists today in order for a public water system to qualify to get one of our security grants.
More than a few systems are running into the obstacle that a lot of licensed water operators have retired or will retire soon. Many systems took it for granted that they had at least one licensed operator with ICS/NIMS training and didn't worry about getting anyone else trained. As the ranks of ICS/NIMS trained staff have thinned out, systems are finding themselves ineligible for grants.
Let your DHHS field representative know if you need to have someone go through the ICS/NIMS training. I am trying to schedule this training in Western Nebraska through NEMA Region 23. Other field representatives can help do the same thing, but we need to be able to show sufficient interest.
Another viable option systems have is to complete the training online. In my opinion, the online training is not ideal, but it is an option if you are disciplined enough to dedicate yourself to it -- but take note: the online training is a timed event, so you must complete it in the allotted time or be forced to start over.
DHHS wants to help your water system achieve maximum eligibility for water-security grants, and we would like to help you achieve the required certifications. Please get in touch with your field representatives if you need ICS/NIMS training to get moving in the right direction.
