Utility Emergency Response with Isaac Alatorre and Jim Wollbrinck

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]

Los Angeles Water Outage 2025: Granada Hills Pipeline Failure and Emergency Response Lessons

Want to know what really happened during the Los Angeles Water Outage 2025? In this episode, Isaac Alatorre breaks down how a pipeline valve failure left 9,200 Granada Hills and Porter Ranch residents without water. From underground repair challenges to emergency response lessons, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how crews battled one of LA's toughest utility crises. Highlights in this episode: * On Aug 5, 2025, a valve failure cut water for 9,200 Los Angeles customers. * Repairs were delayed by tangled underground pipelines and poor records. * Isaac shares how portable hose systems could speed up future responses. 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]

Real-Time Response: The Tools Transforming Public Safety in Schools and Cities

Public safety is evolving—and technology is leading the way. In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Joe Abrams from the Alliance for Community Solutions (ACS) joins Isaac and Jim as he shares how smart, practical tools are making schools, polling sites, and communities safer and more prepared. From the Ballot Box Defender for election site security, to the Brown Box for school safety, and My Nexus for water conservation—Joe explains how technology is creating real change where it matters most. Tune in to learn how innovation is strengthening public safety, one community at a time. Episode Highlights: * How ACS uses technology to solve local emergency response challenges * Ballot Box Defender helps keep polling places secure with quick alerts to law enforcement * Brown Box provides tools for schools and courthouses to respond to active shooter situations * My Nexus helps save water by alerting residents to possible leaks * Joe Abrams shares how community collaboration drives smarter, safer solutions 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]