Preparing for a Power Outage during Fire Season

This post, written by Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe, originally was published October 17, 2019, on the ICTG blog as an updated version of The Riviera Care blog post from August 21, 2019.

---

Are you, members of your household, your neighbors, or your staff prepared for potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), led by power utilities, Southern California Edison and PG&E? Both utility companies have developed plans to shut down power during critical fire weather in order to reduce the risk of wildfires. It is important to know that the PSPS could lead to multi-day power outages in many areas all over California during periods of extremely hot, dry and/or windy weather.

How long is a PSPS outage expected to last?
​The utility companies say that a PSPS outage will last as long as the potentially dangerous weather conditions exist, plus the amount of time it takes for their workers to inspect and repair their equipment in any affected area(s). They recommend that residents be prepared to endure a power outage lasting 3-5 days.

Are you prepared for a power outage lasting 3-5 days, or more?
​Power outages impact the whole community and can make it difficult for people to meet their basic needs, as well as:

• How will you communicate during those days? Consider having portable solar-power charging stations on hand, walkie talkies, as well as having communication plans prepared to let your loved ones or coworkers know your plans prior to power being shut off. 
• What business plans do you need to have in place during a power outage? Consider preparing automatic away messages for work.
• What basic supplies do you need on hand? Consider storing extra nonperishable food items, toiletries, as well as having cash on hand incase ATMs and other bank services are unavailable. 
• What preparations do you need in place medically? If you have not already done so, and you are eligible, complete a Southern California Edison Medical Baseline Allowance Application. This will not preclude your power being turned off, but will provide you with additional notice about when it will be turned off. Consider the possibility that you may need to evacuate voluntarily in order to maintain necessary medical practices which require sustained power. 

How else can you prepare?

• ​Host a neighborhood meeting to make plans with your neighbors, including identifying neighbors' preferences for communication and safety, gatherings you may host during outage days to boost morale and share supplies, and potential voluntary evacuation plans. 
• Conduct meetings with your local business, community center, or house of worship about potential community gatherings that can be held during outages to ensure safety, boost morale, and share supplies. 

---

Further Resources

To Learn More About PSPS from Power Companies, contact:

• Southern California Edison (SCE): Visit sce.com/PSPS | Phone: 1-(800)-655-4555
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E): Visit pge.com/wildfiresafety | Phone: 1-866-743-6589

Additional Preparedness Resources for California:

• prepareforpowerdown.com – PSPS awareness website for all California power companies
• ready.gov/power-outage – Power outage preparedness information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• cpuc.ca.gov/deenergization – Information on the California Public Utility Commission’s PSPS actions
• caloes.ca.gov – California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services website

For better organizational preparation consider contacting ICTG for further services​, referencing our resource guides, and reading more of our blogs.

---

​Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe serves as the Executive Director of ICTG. She is an organizational health consultant and pastoral psychotherapist. She lives with her family in Santa Barbara, CA.