Preparedness

Have you considered what you would do during a power outage? The Emergency Preparedness Committee wants you to be prepared in such an emergency, especially if you need power for a medical condition. The Community Center does not have a backup power system, so those who might need power in an emergency need to consider their personal situation and make appropriate provisions. We contacted Dixie Power. In part, their response was:

“At Dixie Power, we understand that a power outage can be an inconvenience or even a medical hazard in some cases. We prioritize reliability, and we boast a 99.99% rating. That means that outages are highly unlikely. Nonetheless, it’s important for our customers to be prepared for a disruption of service. To make sure everyone is equipped for such an occasion, we would recommend having some backup power as part of your emergency supplies. Whether it’s a propane or gasoline-powered generator, or battery system, there is an option that suits many different needs.”

The Dixie Power representative stated that, while rare, power outages usually last around an hour or less. The longest outage that he was ever aware of was about eight hours, but an outage could be even longer depending on the cause of the outage. Residents might use this as a guide for their planning. Below are guidelines from FEMA (and a link to a FEMA information sheet):

Preparing for a Power Outage

Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity. Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs when the power goes out, such as a portable charger or power bank. Have flashlights for every household member. Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.

Know Your Medical Needs

Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.

https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/power-outage_information-sheet.pdf

Dixie Power maintains a list of people who rely on electricity for medical devices and, in the event of a power outage, prioritizes them for power restoration. To be placed on the list, a person must have their physician fax a request detailing their medical needs to Dixie Power at (435) 673-7460.