POWER SHUTOFF PUBLIC EDUCATION
#BePreparedforPowerShutoffs
PG&E will potentially turn off power to fire prone areas during extreme weather events as a safety precaution. This is known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). While a PSPS is more likely to occur in high fire-risk areas, all residents could be impacted by emergency events and need to be prepared NOW with a plan and an emergency kit. Once we are notified of a pending power shutoff, we will send out public information to the area to be affected and the anticipated duration of the outage.
We may also open POWER RESOURCE SITES that will provide places for the community to gather in a COOL FACILITY and be able to PLUG IN + RECHARGE DEVICES during DAYTIME HOURS.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
The decision and action to turn off power is made by PG&E and is based on a combination of factors:
- High winds (including Red Flag Warnings declared by the National Weather Service)
- Low humidity
- Dry vegetation
- Conditions on the ground
**Power outages could last multiple days, depending on the severity of weather conditions and other factors.**
SAFETY TIPS FOR PSPS EVENTS:
- UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION: sign up for important outage alerts PG&E customers: pge.com/mywildfirealerts
- We STRONGLY encourage everyone to FUEL UP, CHARGE UP, and CASH UP
- SIGN UP: for NIXLE + ALERT MARIN Public Safety Notification Systems
- BACKUP CHARGING METHODS: for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers
- MEDICAL NEEDS: Make a plan for any medications that need to be refrigerated or devices that require power and speak with a medical provider on what might be needed
- PETS: Plan for the needs of pets and livestock, food, water, medicine, etc.
- EMERGENCY KIT: Need to be ready to go with food, water, flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies, radio and cash
- EMERGENCY MEETING LOCATION: Designate an emergency meeting location in case of separation from loved ones or need for safety
- KNOW: how to manually open garage doors
- BACKUP GENERATORS: Ensure they are ready to safely operate, i.e.fuel, location near home, etc.
- Identify ANY unique needs of your family and loved ones in the area for your emergency plan
LEARN MORE:
- prepareforpowerdown.com
- novato.org/powershutoff
- View a local community preparedness presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODR6T7Hn_6Q
