LA PLATA, Md. (March 18, 2010)—On Tuesday the Charles County Commissioners voted unanimously to enter into the Maryland Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Interstate Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN). The American Water Works Association, in conjunction with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, developed the national WARN program to allow for response and recovery from all types of utility-related emergencies. The Commissioners entered the national WARN program in order to participate in Maryland’s Interstate Program for Mutual Aid and Assistance, as part of MDWARN, the WARN program is specific to Maryland.
WARN programs include the use of mutual aid and assistance agreements to allow utilities to cross jurisdictional boundaries to provide aid and share resources during and following an emergency.
The County’s involvement with the Mutual Aid Agreement stays in force as long as Charles County is a signatory to the agreement.
Source: Charles County Government