NRWA Emergency Response Training
May 12-14, 2026 • Orange Beach, Alabama
⚠️ DRAFT SCHEDULE - SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Venue
Perdido Beach Resort
Duration
2 Days of Training + Welcome Reception
Meals Included
Shrimp Boil (Tue), Breakfast & Lunch (Wed), Breakfast (Thu)
Station Training
Wed morning & afternoon + Thu morning (see Page 2)
Tuesday, May 12, 20262 Sessions
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Registration & Check-In
Pick up your materials, name badge, and connect with fellow attendees.
📍 Resort Lobby
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Welcome Reception & Shrimp Boil
Join us for a relaxed evening of networking on the beach deck with fresh Gulf Coast shrimp, refreshments, and entertainment featuring Dueling Pianos with Dew Pendleton.
📍 Beach Deck
Wednesday, May 13, 202610 Sessions
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast
📍 Night Reef
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Opening Ceremony & Welcome
Rob White (ARWA), Phillip Combs (NRWA President), Kent Watson (NRWA Emergency Response Chairman).
📍 Grand Reef
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Rural Water Leadership Panel: State Preparedness & Response
Panel featuring State Executive Directors from the Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi Rural Water Associations, with additional states to be confirmed.
📍 Grand Reef
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Open Forum: Audience Questions & Discussion
Open floor for input and participation.
📍 Grand Reef
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Break
📍 Night Reef
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Inside Alabama's Emergency Response Framework: Lessons for Every State
Jeff Smitherman, Director — Alabama Emergency Management Agency.
📍 Grand Reef
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Station Assignments & Group Formation
Participants assigned to rotation groups.
📍 Grand Reef
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hands-On Station Training — Morning Session
Small group rotations through equipment stations.
📍 Grand Reef Parking Area
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
Buffet lunch with networking opportunities.
📍 Night Reef
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Hands-On Station Training — Afternoon Session
Continued rotations through remaining stations.
📍 Grand Reef Parking Area
Thursday, May 14, 20265 Sessions
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast
📍 Night Reef
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Welcome & Day 3 Kickoff
📍 Grand Reef
8:15 AM - 9:00 AM
Threat and Risk Analysis
James Pratt, NRWA. This class is designed to expand on critical infrastructure assessment, threat, and risk analysis by quantifying risk data as a primary step in disaster management.
📍 Grand Reef
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Hands-On Station Training — Final Session
Completing remaining station rotations.
📍 Grand Reef Parking Area
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Closing Ceremony: Group Photos, Giveaways & Send-Off
Final thoughts, group photos, prize giveaways, and certificates of participation.
📍 Grand Reef
Hands-On Station Training
Grand Reef Parking Area • Rotating Small Groups
⚠️ DRAFT — STATIONS AND INSTRUCTORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
1
Generator Sizing, Connections & Electrical Panels
Proper sizing, hookup procedures, and electrical panel connections.
Instructor: Arkansas Rural Water Association
2
Generator Maintenance & Fuel Systems
Routine maintenance, fuel cleaning, and keeping generators field-ready.
Instructor: Arkansas Rural Water Association
3
Bypass & Trash Pump Operations
Operating bypass pumps, trash pumps, and other emergency pumping equipment.
Instructor: Florida Rural Water Association
4
Drones: Benefits in a Disaster Situation
Aerial assessment, damage surveys, and situational awareness using drone technology.
Instructor: Florida Water Association / Alabama Rural Water Association
5
Emergency Water Treatment Trailer
Rapid-deployment water treatment trailer for emergency water production. Training on trailer capabilities, real-world emergency deployments, and a hands-on walkthrough of the system configuration.
Instructor: Hawkins/WaterSurplus
6
Emergency Disinfectant & Chemical Feed
Hands-on training with a chemical box truck for emergency response disinfectant and chemical feed operations.
Instructor: Hawkins/WaterSurplus
7
VFD Concept, Operation & Setup
Variable Frequency Drive fundamentals, configuration, and field setup.
Instructor: JH Wright & Associates
8
Line Location & Ground Penetrating Radar
Equipment demonstration for locating underground utilities and infrastructure.
Instructor: Louisiana Rural Water Association
9
SCADA Trailer
Mobile SCADA systems for remote monitoring and control during emergencies.
Instructor: Mission Communications
10
Emergency Communications: Starlink & Beyond
Starlink setup, satellite connectivity, and communication solutions for when traditional networks go down.
Provider: Alabama Rural Water Association
Wednesday Evening — Explore Orange Beach
Dinner is on your own Wednesday evening — take the opportunity to explore everything Orange Beach has to offer!
Flora-Bama Lounge — The legendary roadhouse on the Alabama/Florida state line. Live music, great food, and an experience you won't forget. (~15 min drive)
The Wharf — Entertainment district with restaurants, shops, a marina, a ferris wheel, and an amphitheater with live events. (~10 min drive)
Gulf Shores Waterfront Dining — Numerous seafood restaurants along the beach and waterway, many within walking distance of the resort.
LuLu's at Homeport Marina — Jimmy Buffett's sister's restaurant with waterfront dining, live music, and a laid-back coastal vibe. (~10 min drive)
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo — "The Little Zoo That Could" — a unique evening option if you want something different. (~10 min drive)
Deep Sea Fishing & Charter Boats — Book an afternoon or evening charter out of Orange Beach Marina for some of the best fishing in the Gulf.
Gulf State Park — Miles of trails, a fishing pier, and beautiful sunset views along the beach. Great for an evening walk.
Safety & What to Wear
👞 Closed-toe shoes required (steel-toe boots recommended)
👖 Long pants recommended for all station areas
☀️ Sunscreen and hat recommended (stations are outdoors)
⚠️ No loose clothing or jewelry around rotating equipment
💧 Water will be available — stay hydrated