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 cybersecurity fundamentals, emergency exercises, retiring operators, and the practical questions utilities should ask before adopting AI.

The conversation explores:
• Cyber threats and the operational consequences of compromised control systems
• Manual operations and preserving institutional knowledge
• Connecting risk assessments with emergency response actions
• AI governance, realistic expectations, and data ownership
• Cybersecurity requirements in procurement and contracts
• Emerging concerns involving data centers, equipment availability, and drones
• Training opportunities and collaboration across the water sector

Kevin brings a national water-sector perspective, while Cris shares the realities of leading technology services at a water agency.

A practical discussion for utility operators, supervisors, IT teams, emergency managers, and decision-makers.

Watch video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_XKpd9ibDKc

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 important role during disasters. Jack also shares how Disaster Expo grew from a flood-focused event in the UK into a much broader international emergency-management exhibition.

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 emergency, crew size, flow needs, connection points, hose distance, traffic crossings, and how quickly the system needs to be deployed.

This episode also explains why last-minute "Frankenstein" systems often create delays during real emergencies, and why utilities should build the kit around the problem they are most likely to face.

Watch the video version:
https://youtu.be/giOB-Qvh8HU

Learn more:
https://www.portablepipelinesystem.com/

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, public works teams, contractors, and emergency-response crews. The conversation covers how temporary pipeline systems can support planned shutdowns, emergency bypasses, water main breaks, wastewater movement, raw water transfer, fire water support, and other temporary water-transfer needs.

Isaac explains why the right setup depends on distance, flow target, pressure range, water type, connection points, terrain, hose size, service type, fittings, couplings, valves, manifolds, hydrant adapters, pump connections, deployment, monitoring, retrieval, and storage.

The main takeaway: crews need more than a pile of parts. They need a practical temporary conveyance system and a readiness plan that makes sense before the job starts.

This episode is produced by Portable Pipeline Systems and discusses PPS temporary pipeline planning solutions.

This topic includes a lot of visuals, diagrams, hose deployment footage, and field examples. Watch the video version here:

https://youtu.be/kwwcBCCZpeA?si=BDy8APmlku4x12e9

Portable Pipeline Systems helps water and wastewater utilities prepare for emergency outages, planned outages, temporary bypasses, and portable water conveyance needs.

Contact Portable Pipeline Systems:

Website:
https://www.portablepipelinesystem.com/

PPS Overview:
https://www.portablepipelinesystem.com/pps/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PortablePipelineSystems

Podcast:
Utility Emergency Response with Isaac Alatorre and Jim Wollbrinck

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/utility-emergency-response-with-isaac-alatorre-and/id1621766516

Phone:
(714) 369-4694

Email:
sales@portablepipelinesystem.com

Think ahead.

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, and critical infrastructure preparedness. Isaac shares his path from financial planning into Portable Pipeline Systems, the influence of David Jackson, and his passion for helping utilities become more prepared before emergencies happen.

They also discuss the mission of the podcast: bringing practical conversations, new technologies, expert perspectives, and real-world emergency management issues to the utility and critical infrastructure community.

This episode is a great starting point for listeners who want to know who Isaac and Jim are, what drives the podcast, and why utility emergency preparedness matters.

Have a utility emergency management topic, guest suggestion, technology, lesson learned, or response challenge you think we should cover?

Reach out through Portable Pipeline Systems or connect with us through our official channels.

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 one of the most important lessons in emergency management: communication is usually the first thing to fail, and once it does, problems start stacking fast. George shares why backup communications, ham radio, redundancy, and exercising plans matter so much for utilities, hospitals, businesses, and families. George also walks through his experience during Hurricane Sandy, when New York City was overwhelmed, radio comms failed, responders improvised with borrowed equipment, and basic needs like fuel, food, and movement became major challenges. His takeaway is blunt: even strong organizations can get hit harder than expected, and critical infrastructure failure changes everything. We also cover personal preparedness, water purification, training under stress, situational awareness, and the importance of starting somewhere instead of waiting for the perfect plan. And yes, we even get into George's Hollywood work, including how he ended up training Keanu Reeves for John Wick. If you work in utilities, public safety, emergency management, or just want to be more prepared at home, this episode is packed with practical lessons.

Topics in this episode:

• Why communication fails first in disasters
• Hurricane Sandy lessons learned Backup comms, ham radio, and redundancy
• Personal and family preparedness
• Water purification and emergency supplies
• Training, exercises, and raising standards
• Situational awareness in everyday life
• Critical infrastructure threats George's NYPD and Hollywood background

About the hosts:
Isaac Alatorre is co-host of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast and founder of Portable Pipeline Systems, bringing hands-on experience in utility support, emergency response, and resilience. Jim Wollbrinck is co-host of the podcast and a seasoned emergency management professional with deep experience in preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and crisis response.

Website:
Portable Pipeline Systems: http://www.portablepipelinesystem.com/

Here are shorter individual bios too:

Isaac Alatorre:
Isaac Alatorre is co-host of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast and founder of Portable Pipeline Systems, with hands-on experience supporting utilities, emergency response, and resilience operations.

Jim Wollbrinck:
Jim Wollbrinck is co-host of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast and an experienced emergency management professional focused on preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and crisis response.

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 engage in prevention and preparedness efforts that improve resilience.

About Isaac Alatorre:

Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management.

A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies, Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact.

PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.

Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC

James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

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 strengthen cybersecurity, manage risk, and maintain compliance under the America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA).

Together, they share real-world strategies for strengthening cybersecurity, managing risks, and improving emergency response plans across all utility sizes.

Whether you manage a large system or a small rural utility, this conversation delivers insights and tools to help you prepare, protect, and adapt. Get actionable insights on building resilience, addressing evolving cyber threats, and creating proactive response systems that protect critical infrastructure.

What You'll Learn

• How cybersecurity in water utilities impacts compliance and resilience

• Key AWIA requirements for risk and emergency response planning

• Proactive steps to prevent and respond to cyber threats

• How smaller utilities can strengthen infrastructure defenses

• The growing role of collaboration and technology in water system security

Want to go deeper?

Join upcoming AWWA workshops to learn how to strengthen your utility's cybersecurity posture and apply Cyber-Informed Engineering in real-world operations.

AWWA Cybersecurity Guidance: https://www.awwa.org/cybersecurity

AWWA Cyber-Informed Engineering: https://www.awwa.org/CIE

About Isaac Alatorre:

Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management.

A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies, Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact.

PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.

Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC

James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

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This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact