Wildfire & Water Utilities: How the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council Helps Communities Prepare (with Seth Schalet)

Move Water Fast: Temporary Pipeline Readiness for Water & Wastewater Utilities

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 [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/ [https://www.portablepipelinesystem.com/] PPS Overview: https://www.portablepipelinesystem.com/pps/ [https://www.portablepipelinesystem.com/pps/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PortablePipelineSystems [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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/utility-emergency-response-with-isaac-alatorre-and/id1621766516] Phone: (714) 369-4694 Email: sales@portablepipelinesystem.com [sales@portablepipelinesystem.com] Think ahead.

Meet the Hosts of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast

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.

Disaster Lessons from Hurricane Sandy, NYPD Special Ops, and John Wick

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/ [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.

Wildfire & Water Utilities: How the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council Helps Communities Prepare (with Seth Schalet)

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.

Cybersecurity Crisis in Water Utilities: Are You Prepared?

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 [https://www.awwa.org/cybersecurity] AWWA Cyber-Informed Engineering: https://www.awwa.org/CIE [https://www.awwa.org/CIE] Need Emergency Piping? http://bit.ly/3J0ASc9 [http://bit.ly/3J0ASc9] 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. Subscribe To The Podcast Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/utility-emergency-response-with-isaac-alatorre/id1621766516] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3NDGj8sCZcuEIiofn9s2qw] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5zf2xgvd7yoSlc3KUJT38m?si=2fdebfdd295c4076] Connect With The Show: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/PortablePipes/] | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/portable-pipeline-systems] | Website [https://www.portablepipelinesystem.com/] This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact [https://hubs.ly/Q02vvMFL0]