MARCH 21 , 2013

AGA Mutual Assistance Program

Nneka Assing Director, Engineering Services American Gas Association

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Presentation Outline

• Background and Introduction • Mutual Assistance Program Overview • Master Operations Assistance Agreement • Request for Assistance Form • Mutual Assistance Database • Mutual Assistance Program: How to

Participate • Lessons Learned from Superstorm Sandy

Background and Introduction

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Mutual Assistance Database 1999

National Natural Gas Operations Assistance Program

2006

Master Operations Assistance Agreement

(MOAA)

Request for Assistance Form

(RFA)

Background and Introduction

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Emergency Planning Resource Center

2011

• Mutual Assistance Database • Revised 2011 Version of MOAA • RFA • Links to Regional Associations’ Mutual

Assistance Programs • Links to emergency information provided

by government and private sectors

Mutual Assistance Program

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Mutual Assistance Database

Master Operations Assistance

Agreement (MOAA)

Request for Assistance Form

(RFA)

Master Operations Assistance Agreement (MOAA)

• Sets expectations for the participating companies • Reviewed and re-signed every five years, or

sooner as necessary • In the event of a disaster, participants have a basic

assistance contract in place so that crews and/or equipment may be deployed immediately – avoiding delays

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Request for Assistance (RFA) Form

• Standardizes the type of information being requested and lists the company’s immediate needs

• Signed at the time the Responding Company agrees to offer assistance to the Requesting Company

• Member companies that are not part of the AGA Mutual Assistance Database may still use the RFA form to request assistance in time of need

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Mutual Assistance Database • Allows broad access to utility companies and

service providers nationwide through searchable lists

• Region • Company Name

• Company profile includes: • 24-hour emergency contact • Primary and alternate emergency personnel

contact information • Field Capabilities • Regional/state association affiliations • Field management/supervisory needs

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How to Participate

• Review and sign MOAA, submit per instructions

• Complete company-specific information in Mutual Assistance Database

• emergency contact information • field capabilities

• In time of need, refer to the searchable Mutual Assistance Database

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AGA Mutual Assistance Program Participants by Region

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Across the 50 states of USA

53 Companies

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18

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8 CentralEasternSouthernSouthwestWestern

Lessons Learned from Superstorm Sandy

• Point of contact to manage inventory of supply requests

• Provisions for transportation to affected areas • Gaining access to “restricted” areas • Communication with the media • Role of the National Guard

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Next Steps

• Form a Mutual Assistance Advisory Group • Revise RFA to make provisions for outlining exact

aid needed, listing of materials/equipment • Conduct a National Mock Drill

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For more information, visit Emergency Planning Resource Center Nneka Assing Director Engineering Services nassing@aga.org

The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents more than 200 local energy companies that deliver clean natural gas throughout the United States. There are more than 71 million residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers in the United States, of which 92% — more than 65 million customers — receive their gas from AGA members. Today, natural gas meets almost one-fourth of the United States’ energy needs.

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www.aga.org