Risk and Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Plan Compliance Projects for Large Utilities (serving more than 100,000 people) and Medium Utilities (serving between 50,000 and 99,999 people).
West Yost has assisted more than 20 clients with their all-hazards America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA) compliant Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRAs) and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs). Each project was a collaborative effort between West Yost’s RRA and ERP experts and the utility staff, who are experts in their system.
For each project, West Yost completed site visits and a review of existing documentation to bring context to the RRA and ERP. We conduct both RRAs and ERPs according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards, which represent cross-sector best practices. Each RRA and ERP considers natural, built, cyber, and personnel assets. These are assessed relative to any relevant threats and hazards. To support risk management and resilience improvements, West Yost works with our clients to develop risk and resilience management strategies. When implemented, these address the highest risks and reduce vulnerabilities. Each ERP developed is aligned to AWIA, state requirements, and industry best practices.
Team Spotlight
Andrew Ohrt, PE, ERMCP
Risk and Resilience Lead (OTCR Principal Technical Specialist I)
Andrew Ohrt, PE, ERMCP
Risk and Resilience Lead (OTCR Principal Technical Specialist I)
“One day I was driving under the new 35W bridge on my regular morning commute into downtown Minneapolis. The new 35W bridge replaced the old bridge that collapsed one day during rush hour in 2007. After spending the first part of my career focused on environmental engineering, I was inspired to change my professional path. My new direction was critical infrastructure resilience to safeguard our communities and the systems that support them. As an environmental engineer, water sector resilience was a perfect fit. Luckily, a week later an unexpected opportunity to do just that emerged.
That was 8 years ago. Now I work with a talented team of cybersecurity and resilience professionals on driving innovation in the water sector. In December of 2020 West Yost formalized our partnership with Idaho National Laboratory (INL). I am energized daily by the opportunity to improve the cyber-resilience both individual of the sector through our partnership with Idaho National Laboratories (INL). Not everyone gets to say that, and it means a lot.“