Utility Response Training Associates

05/22/2026

04/23/2026

The Partners at URTA are sad to announce that one of our founders, Rich Hawkins, former Fire Chief on the Cleveland National Forest and former Incident Commander of CIIMT 1, has passed away. RIP Rich. Picture- URTA founding Partners- Rich Hawkins is on the left.

04/12/2026

This is a concern.

AI Accelerates Quantum Risk: Encryption Timeline Moves Closer New research indicates that the arrival of quantum computers capable of breaking internet encryption may be closer than expected, with artificial intelligence playing a key role in accelerating progress. Findings from Google and startup O...

03/22/2026

If anyone is interested in a discussion of what drones and cyber attacks may do to impact our infrastructure and what can be done, check out this webinar I led this week with panelists from several key sectors.

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

03/17/2026

Please join the EIS Council tomorrow for this timely and informative free webinar.

Earth Ex Live is a scenario-based online exercise that brings together senior experts from the emergency management, electricity, gas, water, and energy sectors to examine how large-scale infrastructure crises unfold, and how they can be managed.

03/07/2026

Help Us Build a National Incident Management Team Directory

The Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) is developing a comprehensive, GIS-based database of all Incident Management Teams (IMTs) across the United States. This national resource will include essential details such as team name, location, point of contact, team type, and qualification system used.

Our goal is to create a tool that supports name requests, facilitates shadowing and evaluation opportunities, and enhances networking across the IMT community.

We’re asking for your help.

Please take a moment to complete the brief survey using this link: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/8625d8543c2043a7aee822dccb1b2425.
Once the database is live, it will be accessible through our website: www.ahimta.org.

We want to include every IMT in the country, even if the team doesn’t currently have IMTA-affiliated members. Please forward this message to your IMT colleagues and partners to help ensure we build the most complete and useful resource possible.

Thank you for supporting this important initiative.

With gratitude,
Dr. Randal A. Collins, CEM
President & CEO
Incident Management Teams Association

03/07/2026

A good time to check your CO detectors as well

Daylight saving time starts this Sunday, March 8th! Use this as a reminder to test your smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed.

Share this with your friends and family.

03/01/2026

I hope first responders will take a look at the training materials developed after 9-11 to prepare them for potential terrorism, like the NSA- National Sheriff's Association's WMD First Responder program delivered nationwide between 2004 and 2012. A lot of training was created and delivered to people who are most likely retired now. The same goes for all the specialized equipment bought back then and never used. Time to start over, in my opinion.

01/15/2026

Used this tool on an IMT assignment in OR. It is an effective tool.

The National Incident Management System Incident Action Plan (NIMS IAP) is a Google Sheets Application designed to help an Incident Management Team complete an Incident Action Plan (IAP) more rapidly.

The application includes standard NIMS forms and limited resource tracking, resource totaling, and a visual "T-card" rack.

NIMS IAP uses a standard Google framework, including formulas, lookup tables, and open-source JavaScript, to expedite IAP development. Multiple people can access the sheet simultaneously, allowing team members to work concurrently.

Although primarily targeted to wildland fire, NIMS IAP can be used for any incident (All-Hazards).

The development of NIMS IAP is a collaborative effort by members of Cal Fire IMTs and local and Federal IMTs. The project is managed by Mr. Jim Irving, Plans Section Chief for the North Bay IMT.

Visit NIMS IAP at:

Become an member and help us to Inspire Excellence in Incident Management:

01/15/2026

FEMA has released a new (2025), free online training: IS-2901: Introduction to Community Lifelines.
This course introduces the Community Lifelines construct, an outcome-driven response structure used to achieve incident stabilization during disasters. Learners will explore the eight Community Lifelines and how they support situational awareness, prioritization, and operational decision-making.

Key objectives include:
• Defining the Community Lifelines construct and its role in emergency management
• Understanding the relationship between lifelines, components, and sub-components
• Applying lifelines to support incident stabilization and response planning
• Using lifelines to enhance situational awareness, reporting, and strategy development

Enroll here https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-2901&lang=en
Learn more about the IMTA and become a member today at: https://www.ahimta.org/