The NIOA Newsletter - Updates
Wishing our NIOA friends a safe and Blessed Thanksgiving!
The Annual NIOA Christmas Training and Lunch has been canceled. From the NIOA Officers: "Our consensus is to cancel the December meeting due to the rise in Covid-19. We understand our members and their duties to their communities. We cannot risk any departments shutting down because of us. This is not an easy decision, but we think it for the best. We will try to meet in February. Hopefully by then the COVID-19 numbers will start looking better. We thank you for your understanding and patience. If you have any questions, please contact us."
COVID-19 has put a damper on our activities, but we want to start fresh in 2021! We need talented, motivated people to put in a few hours a month to help the NIOA bring training and networking opportunities to clean water professionals across northern Indiana. If you or an NIOA member you know wants to help shape the Northern Indiana Operator's Association for the next 3 years or more, please let us know!
IWEA Annual Meeting, Training & Elections. Join us for the IWEA Annual Meeting where we will be electing officers for 2021 and offering one technical contact hour for IWEA members for FREE! We are featuring our most exciting presentations from the IWEA Annual Conference. You will hear from IWEA leadership about the upcoming 2021 year, and more. To ensure each member is able to attend, we are offering the event in a hybrid setting. You will have the option to attend in person at Bowen Engineering, or virtually via GoToWebinar. The event will take place on December 10th from 10:30 AM – 2:15 PM EST. All login information for virtual attendees will be sent 24 hours in advance.
Jobs Board. Don't forget to check out the NIOA Jobs Board! Members and their organizations can post jobs to the board for free! The NIOA will also post new listings to the NIOA's Facebook Page. Contact Craig Williams for more information.
INWARN COVID-19 Response Update: Find out more about INWARN. There has been an increase in water/wastewater personnel who have either tested positive or been in contact with an individual who has tested positive. We had a few occurrences earlier this year, but as of currently, this is occurring more frequently and has caused for relief or back up operators to assist. We have started tracking these reports and identifying areas of concern so that if there is a need for back up operator requests or assistance due to minimal or limited staff, we can be better prepared.
In the spring we compiled a list of certified operators who expressed their willingness and ability to assist a local utility, if needed. We are aware that each situation is unique and would need to be evaluated, but we greatly appreciate the willingness of these volunteers. For any operators or skilled utility personnel that were not aware of this request or would like to be added to the list, please email either Travis Goodwin, tgoodwin1@idem.in.gov or Sherri Winters, swinters@inh2o.org. This list of volunteers and the tracking of COVID-19 cases for our sector has not and will not be distributed publicly.
We want to remind all the utilities in Indiana, who are continuously staying diligent in your efforts to prevent the spread and protect the critical staff that you employ, that InWARN will continue to distribute cloth face masks to any utility that requests, using the request form or ordering non contact infrared thermometer (NCIT) to screen staff or contractors that need to be onsite, via the online NCIT ordering form, while supplies last. The quantity has been adjusted on the NCIT, so if you ordered previously, but are in need of additional, please do not hesitate to order. They are still $10.00 per NCIT; to assist in the shipping costs.
Please feel free to contact InWARN at membership@inwarn.org for any questions you may have.
As always, we want to thank the men and women who work diligently to provide safe drinking water and sanitary services to your communities. You are the Heros of our sector!!
