The plumbing courses cover all the aspects that you will be required to deal with as a clog. You will be taught about the basic aspects as well as about health and safety issues and sanitation.
After you have checked these areas, take a close look around the refrigerator, both inside and outside. Is there any usual condensation that could indicate a water leak somewhere? Is the icemaker hose fastened securely to the water line repair line? Check also for any water spots on the floor, as these are typically clear signs of a water leak somewhere.
Another obvious indicator is if the water you get is close to cold as ice, then your water heating device has already reached its maximum level of service. If it can talk, it might have been shouting at the top of its voice telling you it needs replacement.
Once you have disconnected the tank remove it from your work space. Do a thorough measurement of the remaining pipe for reference when you go to the hardware store. I will be honest with you, you might need to make a few trips back to the store. Once you get the new tank, slide it into place to line up the plumbing.
The water line repair most likely damaged your electrical outlets and lighting fixtures. Have a qualified electrician come in to evaluate and repair the electrical.
Turn the water off at the main shutoff valve at the street. You should be able to take a pair of pliers(or your bare hands) and turn the valve at the water meter to shut off the water to your home. Once you have shut off the water you can cut the pipe around the leak and make the repair.
In short, the emergency plumber you hire should be from a reputable company. If you think that you can rely on him then you should look for another one. An emergency plumber should be skilled and should be able to deliver quality services to everyone.