On April 4, 2010, a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked an area in Baja along the U.S.-Mexico border. A parking structure collapsed and there was significant damage across the quake zone. The Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) mutual aid program and the Joint Water Task Force operational plan were activated by local utilities; both efforts took response to a new level. Demand on local emergency managers was reduced, response was streamlined, and the efficacy of response was greatly improved. Attendees of the “The H20 Continuum: Water Agency Response to the 2010 Baja Earthquake” session will learn about WARN and the Joint Water Task Force, how to access them, and how to improve emergency planning and response efforts, given the challenges of mutual aid.
