C Factor—Patrick “Murf” Murphy

President, FWPCOA

No, this is not an episode of “Chicago Fire,” but a rescue is involved.

If you work or reside in FWPCOA Region 13, serving Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties, this is a shout out!

If you work in one of the disciplines that FWPCOA supports training and voluntary certification programs for, which includes: S Water Distribution Level 3, 2, 1 S Wastewater Collection C, B, A S Stormwater C, B, A S Reclaimed Water Distribution C, B, A S Utility Customer Relations Level III, II, I S Backflow Tester and Recertification S Backflow Repair S Utilities Maintenance III, II S Facility Management Module I – Prerequisite

Course for the Florida Class A Drinking

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant

Operator Exam

Here’s a shout out!

If you are not a member of FWPCOA, but you believe in protecting the health of the citizens and preserving the natural resources of the great state of Florida—here’s a shout out! If you are not a member of FWPCOA, you are missing out on being a part of an association that has been advancing the professional status of water and wastewater operators for 80 years. Besides being the least-expensive association to be a member of, we provide diverse training, fantastic networking, and professional development opportunities.

Join us—to better your career and help FWPCOA grow strong with you. Go to www. fwpcoa.org today and click on the membership tab (top left on the home page), then to the membership information tab, to find a membership application form.

As a member of FWPCOA, you will: S Receive a subscription to the Florida

Water Resources Journal. This is a monthly publication jointly sponsored by FWPCOA,

Florida Section American Water Works

Association (FSAWWA), and Florida Water

Environment Association (FWEA). This publication keeps its subscribers abreast of current events in Florida’s water and wastewater professions. S Receive discounts on residency training courses provided by FWPCOA. Whether you work in the public or private sector, you can’t afford to let technology pass you by. Continuing education units (CEUs) are mandatory with license renewals, and many utilities recognize FWPCOA certifications to increase your eligibility for new jobs or promotions. S Get a chance to see other utilities in your area, network with your fellow utility workers, make professional contacts, and make friends.

And all this for just 30 dollars a year!

The dedicated, longstanding, and outstanding officers of Region 13 have been fighting the good fight and holding the torch high for many years. A multitude of thanks go to the following Region 13 officers: S Tracy Betz, chair S Arnold Gibson, secretary S Bill Ewbank, treasurer

The region’s director and vice chair positions are currently vacant, and Mr. Gibson has reliably substituted for the director for the state board of directors meetings.

It’s not uncommon for regions to go through highs and lows, but it makes it tough when there are only 59 members in the pool of membership (1 percent of the association’s total) from Region 13. Not to mention that our arms get tired after awhile—the torch needs to be passed on!

For my first real job, I went to see Grandpa Murphy, who worked me like a dog from the time I was 13 years old through high school each summer cleaning beachfronts and installing seawalls all around Winter Haven. I have plenty of stories about water moccasins, leeches, and gators. He walked me down to the picnic table near the lake, grabbed a bucket of water, and told me to stick my hand in. “That’s your contribution to your employer; now, take your hand out. See how that void filled in? It’ll happen every time.”

Unlike certain businesses that believe a “body for a body” is succession planning, we are all volunteers in FWPCOA and have a passion to do the best we can for the citizens and environment of Florida. I know in my heart that there are more than a handful of dedicated, concerned, and

talented folks in Region 13 who are “willing and able” to carry the torch. If you don’t live and work in the region, but you know someone who does— we need you to shout out to them!

Let us help you get involved; it might mean wearing a few different hats, but I can’t tell you how much this association has done for advancing my career and helping me see the bigger picture, as well as meeting people who have like-minded goals and attitudes.

Please consider getting involved and sign up for membership. Contact me directly at pmurphy@plantcitygov.com, or any of the officers at FWPCOA.

I’m asking that the June board of directors meeting be held in Region 13 on June 4, 2022, which is a Saturday. We will send more information in the near future, but please try to attend. Check us out and let’s talk!

The FWPCOA 2022 Spring State Short School, which was held March 14-18 at the Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, was doggone successful! I did make it around to almost every class at the school, but missed a few since I had a couple of classes to instruct as well. Yes, I did wear some leprechaun bling on St. Patty’s Day, doing a lil’ jig out in front of the school before classes started. I then went around to classes, while they were in session and during breaks, to talk to as many of the attendees as I could. When you’re as old and fat as I am, it takes a lot to be embarrassed, and my antics are either an icebreaker and folks are willing to talk for a few minutes, or it's a huge turnoff and they run like deer in the opposite direction!

We had 260 students attending and about a dozen more show up for the certification/ recertification exams. The water distribution, stormwater, utility maintenance, reclaimed water, backflow testing, and supervision classes were well-attended.

There were only five students in the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) class, but this was only the second time we offered it, so hopefully, word of mouth will increase the attendance next time! I talked to the students and they all enjoyed and praised the class.

Thanks to everyone who attended the FWPCOA Spring State Short School! I’ve included some pictures here of some of the classes. I appreciated everyone who allowed me to speak with them for a little bit, get their insight, and share their work stories with me! I can tell that there are many of you who should be on the path to becoming an instructor for FWPCOA.

Scheduling is currently underway for the Fall State Short School, in cooperation with Indian River State College. It looks like it will be held the first or second week of August 2022, so I hope you consider attending this school.

This will also be when the FWPCOA awards luncheon will be held. The deadline for award applications and nominations for the bulk of the FWPCOA awards is June 17, 2022. Don’t fail to get someone deserving nominated for an award; this is good publicity for them and for their utility!

For an award application go to www. fwpcoa.org.

The Florida Water Resource Conference (FWRC) will be held April 24-27, 2022, in Daytona Beach at the Ocean Center and Hilton. This column is due before the conference, so details and pics about these FWPCOA events will have to wait for a future Journal issue!

So, the 2022 hurricane season will officially start on June 1 (as always). Looks like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting 13 to 20 named storms, with six to 10 being actual hurricanes. The month of May would be a good time to get those fuel tanks topped off and do more than the normal weekly and monthly checks of your auxiliary power units.

Let’s keep that water clean! S

Jeff Elder (standing) instructing the Water Distribution Level 3 course. Brad Hayes (far right) instructing the Stormwater B course.