Oct. 23 is the fifth annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water. Led by the Value of Water Campaign, more than 1,000 organizations across the country will raise awareness about not taking water for granted and the crucial need for investment in our nation’s water systems.
 
An investment in our drinking water and wastewater systems is essential to our national health, safety, environment, and economic prosperity. 

Turning on the tap for clean, safe drinking water, and flushing the toilet with no second thought about what happens to wastewater, are actions most Americans take for granted every day. But drought, flooding, and population changes are stressing our water and wastewater systems. While most Americans enjoy reliable water service, our nation’s water infrastructure is aging and in need of investment. A day without water service is a public health and an economic disaster: A single nationwide day without water service would put $43.5 billion in economic activity at risk.

IAMU will be providing social media posts throughout the day on Oct. 23. Feel free to follow IAMU on Facebook (@IAMUpage) and share these posts. In addition, there are numerous free resources available on http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org that you can use to get the word out about the importance of water in your community.

IAMU was awarded a research grant by the American Public Power Association’s Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED) program. 
 
IAMU received $72,790 to create a plug-in electric vehicle (EV) planning and implementation toolkit for municipal utilities.
 
The American Public Power Association is the national organization serving the interests of the nation’s more than 2,000 community- and state-owned electric utilities. The association established the DEED program in 1980 to sponsor and conduct activities related to energy innovation that improve efficiency or lower costs in providing energy services to consumers of publicly owned electric utilities. DEED funds are used to support innovative utility programs. IAMU is a member of the Association and DEED.

Each day in the United States, there are between five and 10 arc flash explosions severe enough to send victims to burn centers. This statistic might leave you wondering about the safety level of your company’s electrical distribution systems. To learn more about arch flash safety, check out the article in EMC’s Loss Control Insights.

The American Public Power Association (APPA) has partnered with Nissan to offer its member public power community across the U.S. exclusive rebates on the all-electric 2019 Nissan LEAF. At members’ request, the APPA has sought out partnerships with vehicle manufacturers for a national rebate program. The APPA is excited to bring this opportunity to its members, and to work with Nissan North America, which has successfully worked with similarly situated organizations.

Public power customers and employees are eligible for a rebate of $3,500 on the 2019 Nissan LEAF 40 kWh Standard and of $2,500 on the 2019 Nissan LEAF 62 kWh ePlus.

Utilities, joint action agencies and state/regional associations may use the rebate for fleet vehicles. The rebate on the LEAF 40 kWh Standard for fleet vehicles may be up to $5,000 in ZEV states. Ask your local dealer.

To claim the public power rebate, public power customers must download this flyer (updated 10/2/2019) and take it to a local Nissan dealer, along with proof of eligible residency and a current electric bill.

Extended: Nissan has extended the rebate offer through to January 2, 2020.

IAMU invites its members to attend a free Insurance Webinar Series.

During each webinar, Jester Insurance's Heith Hockenberry will review a few of the different coverages that IAMU members should purchase as part of their insurance coverage.

Dates
Oct. 28 - 1-2 p.m.
Nov. 18 - 2-3 p.m.
Dec. 16 - 1-2 p.m.

Topics
General Liability, Public Officials, Law Enforcement & Umbrella
Auto (Physical Damage & Liability) and Crime
Cyber

No charge to attend, but registration is required.

To register, go to www.iamu.org -> Events -> Register For An Event (Scroll through the calendar and register for one or more webinars)

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Safety Services department will be holding mobile crane certification and examination classes for digger derrick, service truck, and mobile crane operators.  OSHA’s updated crane standard REQUIRES that operators of lifting equipment be trained, evaluated and tested in order to obtain certification.

Background Information:
Although the new standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, specifically exempts the digger derrick and the operator from meeting the requirements of the standard, the exemption applies only when it is used for work within the provisions of the power generation, transmission and distribution standards, or for construction work within the telecommunications standard.  The exemption does not apply if the digger derrick is used for lifting materials or to operate in working environments outside the scope of the standard because the equipment is essentially being used as a mobile crane.  For example, unloading materials from a truck, lifting a motor from a pump house to assist your water department, or providing assistance to any other city department will mean that the exemption no longer applies.  When equipment is used as a mobile crane, all provisions of the standard apply, including the operator certification rule.  OSHA also now requires that an operator be certified in specific areas when they operate equipment outfitted with a boom and winch and able to lift at least 2,000 pounds.  This includes service trucks in your public works, or water departments.

The new standard has very specific operator requirements, one being to obtain operator certification from an independent testing organization accredited by a nationally recognized organization.  OSHA’s updated crane standard, 1926.1427 in Subpart CC, requires that for a testing organization to be considered accredited to certify operators, it must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency based on that agency’s determination that industry recognized criteria for written testing materials, practical examinations, test administration, grading, facilities/equipment and personnel have been met.  IAMU is an Accredited Assessment Center through the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER).  We are authorized to conduct both hands-on assessments and practical examinations which are part of our Mobile Crane Operator Certification Program.  Additionally, we are offering Qualified Hand Signal Person and Qualified Rigger programs (available at a future date).

Who Should Attend:
Digger derrick and service truck crane operators who do not currently hold a mobile crane operator’s certification.

What Do These Classes and Certification Consist Of:
Classes will be a week long, requiring classroom instruction, an on-line exam that has a 80% pass requirement, a practical exam for certification of mobile crane, and then finally a short class and practical exam for the signalperson and rigging qualifications. Students who pass the written and practical exams receive nationally recognized certification from the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER).

Where Do These Classes Take Place:
IAMU Training and Office Complex
1735 NE 70th Avenue
Ankeny, IA  50021

When Will Classes Be Held:
Dates have been scheduled for 2019 at the IAMU complex (unless otherwise noted).  Please click HERE or visit the IAMU website for available dates.

December 9-13

Mobile Crane Operator Certification/Examination Class Schedule:
 
Class Day
Times
Classroom/Exam

Monday
9:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom

Tuesday8:00 to 4:30 p.m.Classroom
Wednesday
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom/Exams

Thursday
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Practical Exams

Friday (if needed)
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Retake Exams
Class/Exam
Examination retakes are $100 and may be taken during any scheduled exam date.

Additional Notes:

• Registration for all dates is open
• There is a maximum of 12 participants per class session.
• Lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday.
• All participants will attend classroom days. Exams will take place on the Thursday of each class session. Depending on the number of participants, Wednesday evening and Friday may also be used for exams.
• Each participant will need to create an account with NCCER before class; step-by-step instructions are included with the study guide.  Please bring your account number with you to class.

For additional information about the classes and online registration for each event, click HERE.

Cancellation Policy:
IAMU will issue a full refund for a registration cancellation up to 30 days prior to class date.  Cancellations within 30 days of class date will result in a refund less a $50 cancellation charge per registration.

If unable to attend, IAMU will allow a registration to be transferred within the same organization for the registered class date at no additional charge.

Questions?
If you have any questions in regards to the classes, or requirements, please contact:

Margret Meade, IAMU Safety Specialist (mmeade@iamu.org)
Phone:  (800) 810-4268

The 25th Annual Water and Wastewater Operator’s Training Workshop will be held November 19-21, 2019, at Holiday Inn Northwest, Des Moines. To register, click here.
 
This yearly training is a must for any water and wastewater professionals wanting practical information to help them do their jobs. The three-day workshop includes basic and advanced topics on water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater. Attendees can earn up to 1.2 CEUs toward certification, plus get a chance to connect with other municipal water professionals from around the state as well as check out products and services from water-related vendors.
 
Early registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 8! Don’t wait!

The fall issue of the IAMU Connection Magazine is now available on the IAMU website for those who would like to reader it electronically. The print edition will be mailed next Monday, Oct. 7.
 
To access the online version, click here (if you are already logged in as a member). If not, go to www.iamu.org, log in as a member. Then go to the Resources tab, click on Connection Magazine, and then click on Fall 2019.
 
You may share the link with others who are also members. You may also download the electric version as a PDF to print and or email to others.