Developing a Plan for Preparedness

Unfortunately, in many instances, a system emergency occurs without any warning. Such occurrences deny a utility the opportunity to execute preparatory actions. However, a utility can develop a plan of response in preparation of emergency situations by planning in advance. Doing so helps minimize tension and frustration during a very stressful period.

Thus, a plan of system emergency preparedness should include a broad list of specific actions to be taken in preparation for a disaster. Some suggestions are:

Briefings should be conducted at all levels of an organization to assign tasks that will need to be performed during a system emergency.

Preliminary lists and, in certain cases, contacts, should be made with agencies that could be utilized during emergency situations. Some examples are listed below.

General

• Local power suppliers (electric, gas, oil, etc.)
• Government disaster agencies
• Law enforcement agencies
• Hospital and health care institutions
• Private individuals dependent on life-support systems.
• Social agencies who can provide disaster relief.

Communications

• Telephone company for emergency procedures to be followed in the event lines are out
• Amateur radio organizations that could be utilized to provide communications
• Sources of portable two-way radios which can be used to provide communications between assisting crews
• Media outlets: newspapers, radio stations, and television
• It is the host city's responsibility to provide communication equipment to incoming crews

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Down Power Lines

A municipal employee should take reasonable steps to ensure that the downed power line will not cause injury or damage. What constitutes reasonable action will depend on the attendant circumstances (nature of lines, areas and individuals affected, and the experience of the municipal employee with electrical systems). When a municipal employee discovers downed power lines on private property, the employee should take appropriate actions to protect children or other persons of limited ability to understand the danger created by the downed line.

Notification to the owner of the downed line should be made as soon as possible. Care should be taken in not leaving the hazardous situation open to the public’s harm. The employee may not be responsible for fixing the downed power line, but rather to protect the safety of the public.

Operations

• Regional Coordinators
• Authorized Representatives of cities in your region
• Contractors
• Equipment vendors and suppliers
• Materials vendors and suppliers
• Sources of portable generators
• Sources of portable substations
• Heavy equipment repair shops
• Fuel suppliers
• System maps
• Street maps
• Procedure for coordinating assisting crews

Other

• Lodging and food details
• Laundry

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