APWA Gov. Affairs: DHS/FEMA & Cyber issues as related to Public Works/Emergency Management & Hockey Coach-Fort Dupont Cannons. Born & Raised=Portage, Michigan

Washington, DC
Joined March 2017
Hope you have signed up for our Natioanl First Responders Day webinar this Wednesday! If not, despite what it says on our webpage, you may still sign up and hear or share why public works pros are first responders. (hint: they are). See you Wednesday! apwa.org/event/public-works-…
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Marty Williams retweeted
Colorado: Flooding threats will continue through this evening as more storms make their way through the area today. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts and follow local officials’ guidance. Stay safe & evacuate quickly if ordered to move to higher ground.
Colorado Daily Status Report: October 23, 2026 dhsem.colorado.gov/news-arti… State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) ▪️Response: Level 1: SEOC transitioned to Level 1 with multiple state agencies supporting flooding impacts in southwest corner of the state. Thursday, October 23, 2026 at 8:36 pm, Governor Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to flooding in La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, Dolores, Hinsdale, San Miguel, Ouray, San Juan, Mineral, Alamosa, and Rio Grande counties. ▪️Recovery Level 1: Activated to support recovery efforts from wildfires and flash flooding. ▪️State Level Lifelines: All lifelines are stable Key Weather Impacts from NWS 🔹Flood Warning in effect for southwest Colorado today through Friday morning. 🔹Flooding concerns remain elevated across southwestern Colorado through this afternoon/evening, where multiple flood products remain in effect. 🔹Showers and thunderstorms will continue over southern and southwestern Colorado. A few may be strong to severe.
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Way to go APWA Kentucky! Not only did our chapter and its president, Tyler Hill, get a National First Responders Day proclamation from Gov. @AndyBeshearKY, they got it following a ceremony with the governor. As Tyler shared in an email, "This is a victory for Kentucky Public Works, a victory for APWA, and most importantly, a victory for the men and women who answer the call when their communities need them most." @APWATWEETS #NFRD2026
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Thank you, Vermont Gov. Philip Scott for signing a National First Responders Day proclamation that says at the top, "WHEREAS, first responders—including public works professionals, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, 911 operators, paramedics, and other emergency personnel—stand on the front lines of our communities, selflessly serving and protecting the people of Vermont in times of crisis." New England Chapter Past-President Lisa Schaeffler, CPWP-M, shared this great news with us. Just above her email signature it says, "The blue lights don't go and the red lights don't go, until the amber lights make it possible." @neapwa @APWATWEETS #NFRD2026
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As the seasons change, our commitment to serving DC residents remains constant. During a staff meeting at DPW headquarters, Director Chris Rodriguez outlined expectations for the months ahead, emphasizing teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement as the department prepares for leaf collection, snow season, and other seasonal operations. The message was clear: stronger operations, better service, and a continued focus on the residents who depend on us every day.    The Director is looking forward to meeting staff at all of DPW’s facilities in the coming weeks.
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Marty Williams retweeted
If you want to help people affected by Hurricane Isaias, connect with trusted organizations that are actively supporting communities. State and local emergency management agencies can provide information about reputable volunteer and donation organizations.
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Marty Williams retweeted
As we continue to support communities recovering from Hurricane Isaias, we are deeply grateful for the dedication of our voluntary agency partners. Today, we want to highlight two incredible organizations that are on the ground in affected communities. 🧵⬇️
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One week in, and DPW Director Chris Rodriguez is already looking ahead! From meeting with our crews to preparing for leaf collection and snow season, Director Rodriguez is focused on using data, technology, and innovation to improve service and keep residents informed. Stay tuned as we gear up for the seasons ahead!
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Marty Williams retweeted
10/09/2026 1p CT update: Hurricane #Isaias is beginning to bring tropical storm conditions to the northern Gulf Coast. Isaias is a category 3 hurricane with max sustained winds near 120 mph. Fluctuations in intensity are possible through this afternoon, but Isaias is expected to be at or near major hurricane strength when it makes landfall within the warning area this evening. Preparations against life-threatening storm surge and devastating winds should be rushed to completion in the next couple hours.
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4 AM CDT Thu Oct 8 (Advisory 7) Key Messages for Hurricane #Isaias. Latest info: hurricanes.gov 4 AM CDT jueves 8 de octubre (Aviso 7) Mensajes clave sobre el huracán #Isaias. Más información: hurricanes.gov
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10 AM CDT Wed Oct 7 (Advisory 4) Key Messages for Tropical Storm #Isaias. Latest info: hurricanes.gov 10 AM CDT miércoles 7 de octubre (Aviso 4) Mensajes clave sobre la tormenta tropical #Isaias. Más información: hurricanes.gov
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Marty Williams retweeted
There’s a high chance of a tropical depression forming off of the Gulf Coast over the next few days, according to @NWS. The storm could bring strong winds and heavy rain to the region. Area residents should monitor the storm as it develops and follow @NHC_Atlantic for updates.
700AM CDT Oct 6: Here are the Key Messages for Invest #92L located over the southwestern Gulf of America. For the latest updates on this disturbance visit hurricanes.gov
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For Fire Prevention Week, DPW and @dcfireems are reminding District residents: Keep batteries out of your trash and recycling. Lithium-ion batteries can spark fires when they’re damaged, crushed, or punctured in a sanitation truck or at a waste facility. Over the past two years, DC Fire and EMS has responded to nearly 50 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. DPW Director Chris Rodriguez and DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. are sharing important reminders on how to safely use, charge, store, and dispose of batteries. 🔋 Remember: Tape it. Bag it. Drop it off.
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Marty Williams retweeted
Ranking Member @SenatorHeinrich to unveil the Bipartisan American Affordability & Jobs Act — landmark legislation to fix our nation’s permitting process and deliver more jobs, lower costs, and responsible growth — at 12:30pm. Tune in: youtube.com/watch?v=Z-za_Yqc…
Replying to @SiegelScribe
12:30 in the radio TV gallery. Officially official, all 4 corner negotiators say in a joint press notice
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Marty Williams retweeted
NEVER drive around barricades into floodwaters! More than 50% of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related. It takes only 12 inches of fast-moving water to carry off a small car and 18 inches of water to sweep a larger vehicle away. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-tur…
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.@APWATWEETS CEO Scott Grayson (@APWAScott) with an important guest commentary today in @routefifty about #datacenters. "... before a project moves from proposal to construction, communities also need to examine a more fundamental question: What will it require from the infrastructure that residents and businesses depend on every day? "This is where public works professionals belong in this important conversation." When data centers come to town, public works must be at the table route-fifty.com/artificial-i… via @routefifty
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Marty Williams retweeted
DC Water customers are NOT impacted by WSSC Water’s essential-water-use-only request. Our customers can continue using water normally.
Urgent Request - 5:30 p.m. 9/29 Update Essential-Water-Use-Only Request Continues for All WSSC Water Customers as Potomac Water Filtration Plant Resumes Water Production Details ➡️ bit.ly/4j1cUNz
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"The bill would amend a section of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act to require regulators to establish a large-load standard, which is defined as non-residential customers that request electric energy for one or more facilities with a peak demand of 100 megawatts or more. That standard would provide that any large-load customer would cover the full, incremental cost of any generation, transmission or distribution upgrades and provide financial assurances to cover such upgrades." Do data centers need a ‘national strategy that puts communities first’? route-fifty.com/artificial-i… via @routefifty
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