Utility Emergency Response with Isaac Alatorre and Jim Wollbrinck

What happens when a water utility loses access to its control systems—and who still knows how to operate manually? Dr. Kevin Morley of AWWA and Cris Perez of Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency return to the Utility Emergency Response Podcast after appearing in our most-downloaded episode last year. Joining hosts Isaac Alatorre and Jim Wollbrinck for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, they discuss cyber...

Jack Moss, CEO of Fortem International and Disaster Expo, joins the Utility Emergency Response Podcast to discuss how disaster preparedness is evolving across utilities, critical infrastructure, first responders and emergency management. We explore the growing use of drones, resilient infrastructure, backup power, mobile response equipment and why water and wastewater utilities play such an import...

Not every water or wastewater utility needs the same emergency bypass system. In this episode, Portable Pipeline Systems breaks emergency bypass readiness into four practical levels: Level 1: Basic Emergency Hose Kit Level 2: Utility Bypass Kit Level 3: Trailer-Based Deployment System Level 4: Full Readiness Program The right kit is not based only on utility size. It depends on the likely emergenc...

When water or wastewater utilities need to move water fast, the challenge is rarely just finding hose. The real challenge is having the right hose, fittings, adapters, connection points, deployment approach, and readiness plan before crews are under pressure. In this episode, Isaac Alatorre of Portable Pipeline Systems discusses temporary pipeline readiness for water and wastewater utilities, publ...

Meet the hosts of the Utility Emergency Respone Podcast: Isaac Alatorre and Jim Wollbrinck. In this episode, Isaac and Jim share their backgrounds, how they entered the water utility and emergency management world, how they met through AWWA and the utility community, and why they started this podcast. Jim talks about his career in water utilities, emergency management, water quality, technology, a...

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, we sit down with George Sischler, a retired NYPD detective with 20 years of service, including special operations, maritime rescue, tactical medicine, and CBRN work. George now works in preparedness and training, and he brings a rare mix of first responder, instructor, and real-world disaster experience to this conversation. We talk about...

Isaac Alatorre (Portable Pipeline Systems) and co-host Jim Wollnbrinck speak with Seth Schalet, CEO of the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council, about how Fire Safe Councils help communities reduce wildfire risk—and how that support intersects with water utilities and other critical infrastructure. The conversation focuses on collaboration, mitigation strategy, and practical ways utilities can eng...

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 stren...

Want to know what really happened during the Los Angeles Water Outage 2025? In this episode, Isaac Alatorre breaks down how a pipeline valve failure left 9,200 Granada Hills and Porter Ranch residents without water. From underground repair challenges to emergency response lessons, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how crews battled one of LA's toughest utility crises.   Highlights in this epi...

Public safety is evolving—and technology is leading the way. In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Joe Abrams from the Alliance for Community Solutions (ACS) joins Isaac and Jim as he shares how smart, practical tools are making schools, polling sites, and communities safer and more prepared. From the Ballot Box Defender for election site security, to the Brown Box for school...

What if AI-driven leak detection technology could spot issues before they surface? In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, hosts Isaac and Jim talk with Mike Simpson, CEO of M.E. Simpson Co. Inc., who brings over 40 years of experience in leak detection technology and asset management. Learn how his family-owned company transformed the industry by moving from reactive fixes to p...

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...

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 resp...

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...

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 con...

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Isaac engages in a rich discussion with recurring guest Jim Wollbrinck, focusing on water utility innovations. Fresh from the ACE 24 conference in Anaheim, California, Jim reflects on the event's highlights and breakthroughs in the water utility industry. They dive into emergency response planning, emphasizing the advancements and networki...

  In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Isaac delves into the crucial topic of emergency response for utilities, with a focus on the application and benefits of rubber recycled hose ramps. Isaac explores the challenges utilities face in infrastructure management, highlighting the importance of avoiding unnecessary digging and asphalt disruption. He talks on the practicalities...

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Isaac delves into transitioning IT services for government utilities with Baron Wolt from TM Pros, addressing the critical role of emergency and disaster response for utility systems. They explore the complex landscape of IT managed services and their integration with utility management and infrastructure security. Baron discusses the uniq...

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Isaac shares a case study from Costa Mesa Sanitation District, showcasing their initiative in emergency preparedness for utility failures. He dives into the district's forward-thinking approach and the strategic planning undertaken to mitigate potential disasters associated with the failure of a major lift station. Isaac walks us through t...

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Isaac and returning guest expert Jim unpack the myriad challenges and emerging issues faced by water utilities in emergency management. The conversation dives deep into the evolving landscape of utility crisis response, from cybersecurity threats to compliance updates. Discover the latest strategies and resources that utilities can harness...

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Isaac reflects on the year 2023 and discusses the state of conferences and cybersecurity in the utilities industry.  He highlights the positive growth in his business and the overall improvement in the industry compared to the past few years. Isaac emphasizes the increasing importance of cybersecurity in water utilities and mentions the ab...

Isaac reviews the recent Disaster Expo California held at the Anaheim Convention Center and shares his first-hand insights into the event, its standout speakers, and unique highlights. Isaac applauds speakers like Forrest Lanning from FEMA, who discussed earthquake resilience and the Ring of Fire, along with experts focusing on California disasters and local emergency management efforts. While he...

Isaac is joined by Alix Stayton, the Emergency Management Coordinator for California's Public Water Agencies Group (PWAG), to discuss the unique challenges faced by California's diverse water utilities, emphasizing the need for tailored emergency plans and training. Discover her journey from consultant to emergency manager, driven by experiences during Hurricane Katrina. She highlights the role of...

On today's Utility Emergency Response Podcast episode, Isaac Alatorre chats with Gary Sturdivan, an esteemed emergency management consultant with extensive experience as a former emergency manager for water utilities, about the vital realm of grant-seeking funding for water utilities.  Isaac and Gary dissect the intricacies of grants and hazard mitigation plans, shedding light on the distinctions...

On today's episode of Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Issac Alatorre recaps his experience at the recent ACE23 AWWA Conference for water and wastewater professionals in Toronto, ON, Canada. Isaac had the privilege of participating in the ACE23 AWWA Conference, which he found to be exceedingly advantageous for individuals in the water and wastewater sector. Isaac characterizes it as one of the...