ROSEMEAD, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today California’s three largest energy companies announced a
coordinated wildfire safety and awareness campaign to prepare
Californians for the threat of extreme weather and power outages during
times of increased wildfire danger.
The statewide Power of Being Prepared campaign is being led
jointly by Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric
(SDG&E) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), at the direction of
the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The multimedia and
multilingual campaign includes radio ads, preparedness resources and a
new website, prepareforpowerdown.com.
It is a call to action for all Californians to take important steps to
get ready before the 2019 wildfire season, such as creating a thorough
emergency plan and updating their contact information with their energy
company.
According to a recent
report released by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Strike Force addressing
wildfire issues, “More than 25 million acres of California wildlands are
classified as under very high or extreme fire threat. Approximately 25
percent of the state’s population – 11 million people – lives in that
high-risk area.”
“Wildfires are a real and growing threat in California,” said Denise
Everhart, Pacific Division Disaster Executive of the American Red Cross.
“Now more than ever it is critical that Californians be ready for the
unexpected and prepare their emergency kits, download the Red Cross
Emergency App, outline a family plan and practice safety drills before
the need arises. Education, awareness and preparedness can make a
difference in keeping families safe and saving lives.”
Public Safety Power Shutoff
Energy companies turn off power to fire prone areas during extreme
weather events as a safety precaution. This is known as a Public Safety
Power Shutoff. While Public Safety Power Shutoffs are more likely to
occur in high fire-risk areas, all Californians could be impacted by
emergency events and need to be prepared with a plan and an emergency
kit. The Power of Being Prepared campaign provides
customers with specific steps they can take to be ready should there be
an extended power outage that lasts multiple days.
What to Expect
The decision and action to turn off power is made by each energy company
and is based on a combination of factors. These include high winds
(including Red Flag Warnings declared by the National Weather Service),
low humidity, dry vegetation and conditions on the ground. Power outages
could last multiple days, depending on the severity of weather
conditions and other factors, so it is important for everyone to have an
emergency plan in place.
Energy companies will aim to send early warning notifications via phone
calls, text alerts, emails and other means before turning off power.
SCE, SDG&E and PG&E are all working with customers to ensure they have
updated contact information on file and are able to reach customers
before, during and after a Public Safety Power Shutoff event. Energy
companies will also use websites and social media channels to share
information and provide regular updates to local news and radio outlets.
Safety Tips
Here are some steps Californians can take to help prepare for extreme
weather and Public Safety Power Shutoff events:
-
Update contact information with energy companies to sign up for
important outage alerts:- SCE customers: sce.com/safety/wildfire/psps
- SDG&E customers: sdge.com/wildfire-safety
- PG&E customers: pge.com/mywildfirealerts
-
Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard
copies of emergency numbers -
Plan for any medical needs like medications that need to be
refrigerated or devices that require power - Plan for the needs of pets and livestock
-
Build or restock emergency kits with flashlights, fresh
batteries, first aid supplies and cash - Designate an emergency meeting location
- Know how to manually open garage doors
- Ensure any backup generators are ready to safely operate
-
Identify the unique needs of your family and loved ones in the area
for your emergency plan
Learn More
For more information about The Power of Being Prepared, and
additional steps customers can take to prepare for wildfire season and
Public Safety Power Shutoffs, visit prepareforpowerdown.com.
About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison
is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population
of approximately 15 million via 5 million customer accounts in a
50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern
California.
Contacts
Media
Contact: Brian Leventhal, (626) 302-2255
