Program Overview
In an emergency, make sure you notify 911 and your local authorities first. Then proceed to contact our program through the Disaster and Emergency Services duty officer program at 406-324-4777, which notifies the DEQ duty officer, or contact our offices directly during business hours.
For more information related to emergency preparedness, security, or safety, or if you have questions or comments about these resources contact Kirk Yoder.
The information below is intended to provide resources and information for public water systems related to emergency preparedness, security, and safety.
PWS EMERGENCY CONTACT
Kirk Yoder (406) 444-7494
1520 E 6th Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Resources
State & Federal Laws
- Current Executive Orders from the Governor of Montana
- Montana DES State Emergency Coordination Center Daily Situation Report
- Federal Emergency Management Administration Disasters Declarations
Emergency Preparedness
Being prepared to respond to threats and incidents is not just a plan.
- EPA Page for more information and planning resources.
- EPA's online tool and application for smart phones that can help with planning and response needs.
- Department of Homeland Security’s individual emergency preparedness website with tools, resources, and links to additional information.
- Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste Action Coordinating Team (W2ASACT)- Comprehensive resources for funding and technical assistance of emergency and planned projects.
Safety & Security
As there are numerous safety considerations there is no comprehensive list for all public water systems. The Safety and Health Bureau should be consulted in Montana if an assessment is needed to determine safety hazards and requirements.
- Montana Department of Labor & Industry's Safety and Health Bureau
- Utilities Locating Service in Montana
Security
The American Water Works Association has tools, provides standards, and has links to additional resources for physical security and cypersecurity planning. Vulnerability Assessments are considered a critical starting point of security planning and overall preparedness.
- American Water Works Association Cybersecurity Guidance & Tool
- The EPA includes security as part of a resilient and sustainably managed utility
- CISA Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
- Click Here to subscribe to Updates from CISA
DEQ does not currently send out cybersecurity updates. Please consider subscribing to CISA.GOV updates for FREE critical cybersecurity updates.
Cybersecurity in Sanitary Surveys
Self Assessment Resources
EPA: Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool and Risk Mitigation Plan Template
EPA: Guidance on Evaluating Cybersecurity During Public Water System Sanitary Surveys
CISA: Cyber Resilience Review
CISA: Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals
CISA: Cybersecurity Evaluation Tool
NIST: AXIO Cybersecurity Program Assessment Tool
MS-ISAC: Risk Assessment Method
MS-ISAC: Critical Security Controls
Third - Party Assessment Resources
The following are technical assistance providers that can help with Vulnerability Assessments and developing Emergency Response Plans
Vulnerability Assessments can be a critical part of security planning and overall emergency preparedness
- EPA EPA Page for the Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT) 2.0
- EPA Page for Emergency Response Plan Guidance documents
- Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Randy Middlebrook, CPP, CPD
Protective Security Advisor, Montana
406-839-1165
Joe Frohlich, CISSP, CAP, ISSMP
Cybersecurity Advisor, Montana
406-461-2651
Drought
- Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Drought Management information page contains up-to-date information on drought reports, maps, and plans.
- Drought Resilience and Water Conservation
- National Weather Service drought resource page
Floods
- FEMA’s Flooding response and planning information page
- Link to FEMA's mobile app page
- EPA’s Flooding response and planning information page
- EPA’s online tool and application for smart phones that can help with planning and response needs.
- Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) flooding maps and flooding forecasts.
Additional Natural Disasters
Additional information regarding Wildfires; Earthquakes; Winter storms and extreme cold; Pandemics; and Harmful Algal Blooms
- EPA’s starter guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities on natural disaster hazard mitigation.
- EPA’s Incident Action Checklists for Water Utilities including winter storms and extreme cold.
- Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Forestry Division wildfire preparedness and prevention information page.
- FEMA has links to planning and monitoring resources for earthquakes.
- Ready.gov individual preparedness and response resources for earthquakes.
- Ready.gov individual preparedness and response resources for pandemics.
- Montana Dept. of Public Health and Human Services information and reporting page for Harmful Algal Blooms.