C FACTOR
Death to the Phrase “Silent Sentinels” Patrick “Murf ” Murphy
President, FWPCOA
S
orry Poteet! You were the first person I ever heard use the term “silent sentinels” and I give you credit for coining it. When I heard this, I was amazed by what I considered the accuracy of the definition of most operators, who more frequently and for many moons have been called “unsung heroes.” While police officers, firefighters, medical professionals, and teachers are routinely praised for their value in the public-service sector, the skilled workers who provide clean drinking water, treat wastewater, and stand guard and keep watch often go unnoticed in the public eye until there’s a problem—and then the media have a field day with the negative stories! This reminds me of the old movie, “Sergeant York,” with Gary Cooper. We are the turkeys, and as long as we keep our heads down below the log, we won’t get shot by a sharpshooter.
House Bill (HB) 23: Water and Wastewater Facility Operator Licensing Reciprocity This bill (it can be viewed at the link www.flsenate.gov/Session/ Bill/2023/23/?Tab=BillText) is an effort by a group that I’m sure has good intentions, but I’m just as sure it will not meet the expected
goals. If this is being proposed to address the current Boomer workforce retirement, also known as the “Silver Tsunami” and the “Great Resignation,” saying that the operator shortage (when it’s no different than any other industry across the United States) is going to be resolved by handing out operator licenses by reciprocity to anyone from another state, I beg for some of your thoughts about why and how this bill will do anything different than what is already being done by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) operator certification program (OCP). I suggest that this attempt to expand the labor pool will do nothing to increase wages for the dedicated operators in the state of Florida. The current process of the OCP is profoundly appropriate in addressing the health and safety of the citizens of Florida, and doesn’t cheapen the licensed operator pool for a warm body for staffing purposes. Simply put, if operators come to Florida, show FDEP their credentials, and pass the Florida test, they get the equivalent license that they are wanting reciprocity for; if they can’t pass the test, there is a reason for that, and they shouldn’t be handed a license. No one should be licensed to operate a water plant, wastewater plant, or water distribution facility in Florida without first having demonstrated training and experience acceptable to FDEP and passing a Florida operator licensing exam. I say the differences between states are significant enough that we must not go backwards in trying to maintain trained and qualified operators. Florida is the nation’s leader in reclaimed water production, and operators from other states are not studying Florida Statutes or Florida Administrative Codes (F.A.C.s) for their licenses; some states don’t even require continuing education units (CEUs) for license renewals. I know and have worked with some amazing operators from other states; they came here and they passed the Florida test(s). I also have worked with some who came here with A licenses, but didn’t know anything more than the one process that they worked from; hence, I wouldn’t trust them with a broom or to be a honey dipper.
32 February 2023 • Florida Water Resources Journal
The type of reciprocity that they want would give them the ability to be put in a position as a chief plant operator with no practical and meaningful way of measuring their competency for that position. Is that what we want? As a superintendent, utilities director or owner, city manager, or even as an operator, do you want to be supervised by someone who hasn’t taken the same tests that you worked for to become licensed in Florida? The wording in the bill, as written, could allow someone who passed their test 50 years ago, has not worked in a plant since (but consistently renewed their license), never worked in or has seen a Florida facility, and hasn’t demonstrated any knowledge of treatment practices common in Florida or any familiarity with Florida’s regulations or practices to supervise or operate a plant. Does that seem protective for the health and safety of citizens and preservation of our natural resources?
HB 23 - Section 1.(1).b: The Authors Have Inserted a Provision That Identifies Water/ Wastewater Personnel as “First Responders,” But… My title as president of FWPCOA didn’t make me smarter, give me legislative insight, or make me more attractive; so, if someone out there can point me to something different, throwing “first responders” in this bill, which has no statutory reference, is just an effort to entice operators to not challenge this bill targeting reciprocity. There are numerous documents out there that point out the criticality—and necessity—of the water and wastewater sector, and list us as essential personnel: S Presidential Directive 21 (PPD-21) S United States Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) Crisis Event Response and Recovery Access (CERRA) S USDHS Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) S Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5)