WEI’s Incident Management + Organizational Resiliency program brings together utility industry specialists from the US and Canada to share best practices through open conversations with key presentations to support the discussion. The program is designed to strengthen a utility's response through strategic evaluation of incident support, policy guidance and executive-level decision making, and media outreach and communication.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Courtney Rose, Emergency Manager, Tacoma Public Utilities
- Program Location
- Tacoma Power
- 3628 S. 35th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98409
- Who Should Attend
This program is intended for electricity and natural gas employees with responsibilities in business continuity and emergency management, business resilience, Incident Command System training, and other industry specialists and is open only to WEI utility members.
- Registration Options
Member: $499 USD
Registration price increases $100 after June 13, 2023. Registration includes digital materials and access to all event sessions and meals listed on the agenda.
- General Cancellation Policy
- Due to contractual obligations, cancellations received 15 business days prior to the program will receive a full refund. Cancellations received 6 to 14 business days prior to the event will receive a refund, less a $100 administrative fee. No shows and last minute cancellations, 5 business days prior to the event or less, will be responsible for the full registration fee. Substitutions from your organization for the same event are always welcome.
- Participation Policy
- Western Energy Institute programs and events are open to energy companies (including gas production and electric generation, gas and electric transmission and gas and electric distribution utilities). Select programs and events are open to energy industry product and service suppliers. Programs and events are closed to all media representatives and to the general public. Recording is not permitted for any portion of the event.
- For more information contact Beverly Woolf, Director of Programs at (971) 303-2294.
Agenda
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Registration + Networking
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Welcome to Tacoma Power
Speaker(s): Courtney Rose, Emergency Manager, Tacoma Public Utilities
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Introductions + Opening Roundtable
Facilitator(s): Courtney Rose, Emergency Manager, Tacoma Public Utilities
Come prepared to share current opportunities and challenges for your utility related to Business Continuity, Emergency Management, and ICS training and implementation.
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Networking Break
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
What is the Role of Emergency Management?
Facilitator(s): Mary Hobday, Contingency & Emergency Planning Manager, Puget Sound Energy
What is the role of emergency management and how does it differ and/or intersect with the role of business continuity and safety?
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Emergency Manager/Government Partnership Opportunities
How do utilities interact with state and local agencies? What are key strategies for building relationships, establishing communication channels, and managing multiple geographic jurisdictions? What are the benefits to public/private partnerships?
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WEI Hosted Networking Event
Transportation will be provided to the Tacoma Rainiers ballpark to enjoy some AAA baseball. The game against Salt Lake City starts at 6:05 pm.
Thursday, June 29, 2023
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
Breakfast will be available at the host utility.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
SDG&E’s ICS Overview Class
Speaker(s): Tim Stuber, Senior Emergency Readiness Program Advisor, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Jorge Balvaneda, Operational Field & Emergency Readiness Manager, San Diego Gas & Electric Company
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has made great strides in utilizing the Incident Command System (ICS) for emergencies and planned events requiring effective utility industry management. SDG&E has implemented a company approach to using ICS, including at the operational level, Department Operation Centers (Gas, Electric, Cyber), and the Emergency Operation Center.
SDG&E speakers will discuss the cultural change they’re challenged with the deployment of ICS, the modifications to traditional ICS that they’ve made to ensure it fits the organization, and finally, the commitment the organization has made to the implementation of simple, flexible, and scalable systems that seamlessly integrate daily business practices with the foundational principles necessary to escalate into a coordinated rapid incident response.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Networking Break
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Emerging Issues that Impact Emergency Management Planning and Response
Facilitator(s): Jason Lelli, Emergency Manager, Tacoma Power
Topics for this roundtable discussion may include, but aren’t limited to
• Climate change: how to shift planning and response
• EVs and the impact for Emergency Managers
• Supply chain shortages
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Exercise Design, Execution, and the Resources Required to Build Exercises
Explore the components of an effective exercise and how to ensure you have the design, resources, and execution plan in place to maximize the value for participants.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Emergency Operations Center Considerations
What does the ideal EOC look like? What’s the best size and location? What technology is beneficial? What are some of the challenges that need to be considered?
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
The Role of the Department of Energy in Emergencies
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Networking Break
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Tour of TPU Dispatch Center
Hotel + Travel
Hotel options located near Tacoma Power are listed below. Reservations can be made on the hotel’s website or by calling their reservation line. WEI has not negotiated a special rate for these hotels.
Extended Stay America – Tacoma South
2120 S. 48th St.
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 475-6565
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tacoma Downtown
2102 South C Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 272-2434
Hotel Murano
1320 Broadway
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 238-8000