How prepared are you for the growing challenges of cybersecurity in water utilities? 

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, host Isaac Alatorre sits down with Kevin M. Morley, PhD — Manager of Federal Relations at the American Water Works Association, and Cris Pérez — Director of Technology Services at Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, to explore how water utilities can strengthen cybersecurity, manage risk, and maintain compliance under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA).

Together, they share real-world strategies for strengthening cybersecurity, managing risks, and improving emergency response plans across all utility sizes.

Whether you manage a large system or a small rural utility, this conversation delivers insights and tools to help you prepare, protect, and adapt. Get actionable insights on building resilience, addressing evolving cyber threats, and creating proactive response systems that protect critical infrastructure.

What You’ll Learn

• How cybersecurity in water utilities impacts compliance and resilience
  
• Key AWIA requirements for risk and emergency response planning
  
• Proactive steps to prevent and respond to cyber threats
  
• How smaller utilities can strengthen infrastructure defenses
  
• The growing role of collaboration and technology in water system security

Want to go deeper?

Join upcoming AWWA workshops to learn how to strengthen your utility’s cybersecurity posture and apply Cyber-Informed Engineering in real-world operations.

AWWA Cybersecurity Guidance: https://www.awwa.org/cybersecurity

AWWA Cyber-Informed Engineering: https://www.awwa.org/CIE

Need Emergency Piping? http://bit.ly/3J0ASc9

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About Isaac:

Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management.

A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies. Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact.

PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.

Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC

James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

About Portable Pipeline Systems:

We value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price-only products. We encourage our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it an earthquake, floods, fires, or just an aging infrastructure.

At PPS we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By:  Simplified Impact

Are you a utility wanting to improve your wildfire response strategies? In this episode, Isaac Alatorre breaks down the biggest lessons from the AWWA Cal Nevada Section conference — all about strengthening wildfire response for utilities.

Learn how smaller utilities can overcome big challenges, why local mutual aid matters, how to mobilize resources fast, and what new EV legislation could mean for the industry. Plus, find out why standardizing equipment and building local partnerships are key to success.

If you’re in utilities and want practical wildfire strategies, this one’s for you!

 

Also in this episode:

• Plan early and mobilize resources ahead of time.
• Strong local mutual aid is critical for quick response.
• Small utilities face challenges with limited resources and aging infrastructure.
• New EV rules may force utilities to invest in dual fleets and chargers.
• Standardizing equipment helps speed up emergency response.

Need Emergency Piping? http://bit.ly/3J0ASc9

 

Subscribe To The Podcast

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

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Connect With The Show:

Facebook | Linkedin | Website

---

About Isaac:

Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management.

A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies. Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact.

PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.

Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC

James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

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About Portable Pipeline Systems:

We value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price-only products. We encourage our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it an earthquake, floods, fires, or just an aging infrastructure.

At PPS we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By:  Simplified Impact

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Isaac Alatorre is joined by Joe Abrams from ACS to explore the critical role of technology in utility emergency response and how it enhances disaster preparedness and crisis management. This episode places particular emphasis on how interlocal agreements and innovative technologies are utilized to streamline communication and disaster response strategies for utilities across Texas and California. Joe presents a detailed account of ACS’s origin and evolution, revealing the significant impact of structured emergency communication systems and automated solutions in enhancing operational resilience and responsiveness.

 

Also in this episode:

• The use of customer databases for accurate emergency communication, as implemented by SFPUC, exemplifies successful cross-departmental integration.
• ACS’s focus on technology aids rural communities in effective communication and resource management.
• Partnerships and technological implementations across the utility sector in California showcase broad potential for nationwide adoption.

 

Need Emergency Piping? http://bit.ly/3J0ASc9

Subscribe To The Podcast

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

---

Connect With The Show:

Facebook | Linkedin | Website

---

About Isaac:

Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management.

A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies. Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact.

PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.

Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC

James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

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About Portable Pipeline Systems:

We value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price-only products. We encourage our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it an earthquake, floods, fires, or just an aging infrastructure.

At PPS we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By:  Simplified Impact

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Isaac Alatorre and co-host Jim Wollbrinck dive into a crucial conversation on fire mitigation technologies with Shawn Sahbari, founder of Komodo Fire Systems, and Rob Latham, their Business Development Manager. Together, they explore innovative solutions to wildfire prevention, highlighting the groundbreaking work of Komodo Fire Systems in the realms of technology, environment, and infrastructure protection.

Throughout the episode, Shawn and Rob discuss the science and strategy behind Komodo’s fire mitigation products. Leveraging their unique expertise, they reveal how Komodo’s eco-friendly retardants offer superior fire prevention and suppression capabilities, especially within critical infrastructure like utilities and water services. They offer practical insights into potential collaborations among power companies, water utilities, and fire departments. Sean and Rob highlight the significant environmental benefits and cost efficiencies of using Komodo for proactive fire protection, emphasizing the need for such strategic partnerships and cutting-edge solutions in today’s fire-prone environments.

 

Also in this episode:

• Komodo Fire Systems focuses on preventing and mitigating fires by using eco-friendly retardants suitable for protecting critical infrastructure.
• The importance of adopting a proactive approach to fire management to prevent large-scale infrastructure losses is highlighted.
• Komodo’s innovative solutions offer not only fire suppression capabilities but also long-term protection against potential fire hazards.
• Despite the challenges, opportunities exist to implement technology-driven fire prevention strategies across various industries.

 

Learn more about fire mitigation technologies and sustainable practices: https://komodo-fire.com/
Need Emergency Piping? http://bit.ly/3J0ASc9

Subscribe To The Podcast

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

---

Connect With The Show:

Facebook | Linkedin | Website

---

About Isaac:

Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management.

A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies. Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact.

PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.

Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC
James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

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About Portable Pipeline Systems:

We value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price-only products. We encourage our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it an earthquake, floods, fires, or just an aging infrastructure.

At PPS we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By:  Simplified Impact

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Isaac and co-host Jim Walbrink introduce an innovative approach presented by guest Tripat Mangat, focusing on kinetic energy storage through advanced flywheel technology. This cutting-edge solution promises not just enhanced power resilience but also a leap towards sustainability and cost-effectiveness for utilities worldwide.

In their conversation, Tripat elaborates on the practical applications and advantages of kinetic energy storage systems. With various systems currently in development and early testing phases, he illustrates how water utilities can harness this technology to mitigate costs and improve power reliability. The discussion also explores the potential for distributed power systems and the broader implications for regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability.

Also in this episode:

• Kinetic energy storage systems offer a quicker response time and longer life cycle compared to traditional battery storage solutions.
• Flywheel technology presents a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for energy storage, especially suitable for utility applications.
• The implementation of distributed power systems can provide utilities with greater resilience, efficiency, and potential cost savings by leveraging local power generation.

 

Need Emergency Piping? http://bit.ly/3J0ASc9

 

Subscribe To The Podcast

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

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Connect With The Show:

Facebook | Linkedin | Website

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Meet Your Host: Isaac Alatorre | Emergency Pipeline Advisor | Portable Pipeline Systems

Isaac Alatorre has over 15 years of experience in the emergency pipeline and safety industry. He has collaborated with numerous cities, water and wastewater districts, and water companies to advise on emergency preparedness for water, wastewater, and floods. His expertise includes the use of lay-flat hoses and emergency trailers for utilities and related industries. Portable Pipeline Systems (PPS) has been assisting utilities for over 20 years in developing plans for both emergency and planned pipeline situations. Isaac serves as the Chair of the Security and Emergency Management Committee for the California-Nevada section and is a graduate of UC Irvine. He also spent five years as an ambassador for the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation, an organization that bridges private companies with public agencies during emergencies. In his free time, Isaac enjoys whiskey, music, sports, scuba diving, and visiting steakhouses.

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Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Managing Director and Principal at METISIS LLC

James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

Jim is actively involved in several organizations supporting emergency preparedness and security in the water sector. He is a former member of the National Water Sector Coordinating Council and NAWC’s Safety, Security & Environmental Committee, a past Trustee for the CA/NV Section of AWWA, and the State President of CalWARN. He also serves as the 1st VP for the Santa Clara FireSafe Council.

His recent efforts include improving the leadership structure and web presence for CalWARN and planning for emergency fuel needs at various levels. Jim holds a B.S. in Applied Economics from USF, a Grade 3 Water Treatment Operator Certification, and is an expert in the Good to Great Management Method.

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About Portable Pipeline Systems: We value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price-only products. We encourage our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it an earthquake, floods, fires, or just an aging infrastructure.

At PPS we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By:  Simplified Impact