6.3. ERMU SR 02-24-2009Elk River -:~
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 430
Elk River, MN 55330-0430
February 19, 2009
To: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Jerry Takle
John Dietz
Jerry Gumphrey
From: Troy Adams
Subject: Proposed Mutual Aid Policy
Phone: 763.441.2020
Fax: 763.441.8099
Due to natural disasters, massive equipment/structural failures, or other catastrophic events, there
may be a time when Elk River Municipal Utilities is in need of assistance from outside resources
to restore water or electric utilities and re-establish public safety. Likewise, ERMU may be
called upon by other utilities to provide labor and/or equipment resources to help restore utilities
after an event outside ERMU's service territory. Due to timing, it may not be possible to
propose such a request to the Utility Commission at a regular scheduled commission meeting.
Currently, ERMU's unwritten policy regarding mutual aid is to provide resources at management
discretion. Typically the request for such aid would be generated through an organization such
as Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association but could come directly from a utility or city. For
Utility Commission review and consideration, here is a proposed written policy to address these
situations:
Mutual Aid Policy
In the event of a natural disaster or catastrophic event resulting in the compromise of
water or electric utilities outside Elk River Municipal Utilities' service territory, Elk
River Municipal Utilities may be contacted through utility associations, utility
companies, or cities to provide assistance. This request for assistance may be that of
labor or equipment resources. At the discretion of the Utility Management, resources
may be dispatched in such a way as to not compromise Elk River Municipal Utilities or
their customers.