HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.039-12 RESOLUTION # 3
(Series of 201 2)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, ADOPTING THE
ASPEN ENERGY ASSURANCE PLAN AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE ENERGY OFFICIALS, THE
STATE ENERGY ASSURANCE GUIDELINES, AND THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENERGY
ASSURANCE GUIDELINES.
WHEREAS, the City Council has, through the creation of the Aspen Energy
Assurance Plan, addressed emergency planning specific to the City of Aspen,
Colorado energy systems; and
WHEREAS , the City Council recognizes that adequate preparation for an
all-hazards approach to energy assurance planning will prepare the city for
numerous hazards across many categories, including sabotage and terrorism, civil
disturbances, natural disasters, infrastructure failures, and public health
emergencies, all of which are due to the interdependencies of the energy industry;
and
WHEREAS, local governments need to take an active role in mitigating the
effects of energy supply disruptions and potential impacts on key local assets and
critical services; and
WHEREAS , though other entities may be responsible for generating,
transmitting, distributing, and delivering energy to local jurisdictions, most key
activities and energy consumption fall within local city boundaries; and
WHEREAS , it is imperative that the city of Aspen understand its roles and
responsibilities with regard to energy assurance and determine how these roles and
responsibilities can most effectively be assumed; and
WHEREAS, the Aspen Energy Assurance Plan (AEAP) was created to
prepare for, and respond effectively to, an energy emergency at the local level; and
WHEREAS, the AEAP is being adopted to develop response actions in
close collaboration with regional, state, federal, and private section partners (e.g.,
energy utilities) until disrupted energy services (electricity, petroleum, and/or
natural gas supplies) can be restored to serve the day-to-day energy needs of the
local jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the AEAP is being adopted to ensure that both the critical
infrastructure and essential services that are dependent on energy systems and
infrastructure are resilient or able to "bounce back" and be restored rapidly in the
case of a disruption; and
WHEREAS, the AEAP was created to complement and become a part of the
existing Emergency Response and Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP); and
WHEREAS, the AEAP supports the City of Aspen's Basic Emergency Plan
and is designed to support and develop a robust response capability to a three-day
(72-hour) energy emergency as a baseline planning criteria; and,
WHEREAS, lifesaving and responder safety will always be the highest
priorities in response to, and recovery from, an energy supply emergency;
NOW, WHEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, THAT:
Section One
The City Council of the City of Aspen hereby approves the entitled "Aspen
Energy Assurance Plan" as submitted to the Department of Energy.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of
Aspen on the or/ day of , 2012.
Michael C. Irela d, Mayor
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the
foregoing is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City
Council of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held 0a3
2012.
A
Kathryn Siroch, City Clerk
)'
City of Aspen Colorado
Energy Assurance Plan
FINAL
April 2012
This Energy Assurance Plan addresses emergency planning specific to the City of
Aspen, Colorado energy systems. This plan addresses the electric system, natural
gas system and fuel systems.
This plan follows recommendations of the National Association of State Energy
Officials, State Energy Assurance Guidelines, Dec 2009 and US Department of
Energy—Local Government Energy Assurance Guidelines.
1
Table of Contents
List of Tables/Figures 3
1. Introduction 4
1.1 Purpose and Scope 4
1.2 Plan Review and Revision Requirements 4
2. Energy Vulnerability Analysis 5
2.1 Critical Facilities and Back-up Plans 5
2.2 Critical Energy System Components and Emergency Responsibilities 9
2.3 Portable Energy Generator Needs 10
3. Energy Emergency Preparedness and Operations Plan 11
3.1 Preparedness 11
3.1.1 System Design 11
3.1.2 Energy Assurance Plan Maintenance. 11
3.1.3 Identification of Vulnerable Population 11
3.1.4 Communications Plan. 11
3.2 Operations Plan 13
3.2.1 Incident Command System 13
3.2.2 Energy Emergency Response 14
3.2.3 Assignment of Radio Frequencies for Emergency Communications 15
3.2.4 Emergency Support Agreements with Utility Service Provider Contractors
15
3.2.5 Mutual Aid Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding 15
3.2.6 Emergency Fueling Plan 16
3.3 Recovery 17
Attachment 1 Vulnerable Population Identification 18
Attachment 2 Power Disruption Safety Tips 20
2
List of Tables/Figures
Table 1 Critical Facilities and Loads 6
Table 2 Critical Energy System Components and Emergency Responsibilities 9
Table 3 Emergency Support Agreements with Utility Service Contractors 15
3
1. Introduction.
1.1 Purpose and Scope.
This plan supports the Pitkin County Emergency Operations Plan and the Emergency
Support Function #12—Utilities—and is designed to support and develop a robust
response capability to a three day (72-hour) energy emergency as a baseline planning
criteria. Lifesaving and responder safety will always be the highest priorities in response
to and recovery from an energy supply emergency.
Such an event has the potential to effect wide areas of Pitkin County which will require a
coordinated and unified response between City and County officials in prioritization of
response actions and public communications.
An assured supply of energy requires solid engineering standards, well maintained
infrastructure, operational flexibility, and well trained emergency responders. The Pitkin
County Emergency Operations Plan utilizes the National Incident Management System
(NIMS) model as the basis for its Incident Management Organization and assumes that
personnel have received NIMS training appropriate to their level of responsibility for
emergency response and that salient portions of this plan are tested on an annual
basis. Infrastructure and engineering standards are maintained through the City's utility
maintenance practices and enforcement of applicable building and design codes,
The plan includes an energy vulnerability analysis and energy emergency preparedness
and operations plan.
1.2 Plan Review and Revision Requirements.
The City's Utilities Department is responsible for annual review of this plan and ongoing
maintenance to update key contacts and other information as necessary. The City's
Energy Assurance Plan Coordinator is Lee Ledesma, Utilities Operations Manager for
Water and Electric.
4
•
2. Energy Vulnerability Analysis.
Electric Energy
The City of Aspen is served by two electric distribution companies, City-owned Aspen
Electric and Holy Cross Energy Cooperative. Aspen Electric has a 4-square mile service
territory surrounding downtown Aspen serving approximately 3,000 accounts. The
majority of the distribution system is located underground. Holy Cross Energy provides
wholesale power to the City of Aspen and retail electric service within the City of
Aspen's boundaries and throughout the surrounding area. A Holy Cross substation
located near the Aspen airport provides all electricity to the City of Aspen and is a single
point of failure as the system is currently designed. This substation is supplied by two
115Kv Public Service of Colorado transmission lines running along Highway 82 from
Basalt. In the event of failure, a temporary mobile substation could be installed.
However, depending of the time of year and weather conditions, a prolonged electrical
outage is not an unreasonable planning scenario.
Natural Gas
SourceGas (Rocky Mountain Natural Gas) serves the Aspen area through an intrastate
transmission pipeline that runs along Highway 82 from just north of the Aspen Airport
north to El Jebel. Natural Gas service would be interrupted to the Aspen area in the
unlikely event this pipeline should become out of service.
2.1 Critical Facilities and Back-up Plans.
Table 1 lists critical facilities and functions, their energy requirements, and any back-up
energy sources specifically dedicated to the critical load.
5
Energy Vulnerability Analysis
Table 1 --Critical Facilities and Loads
Onsite
Backup Back-up
Energy Back-up Fuel Back-up Heating
Requirement Electrical Capacity Electrical Source
Critical Facility Critical function (kW) source(kW) (gallons) Endurance(hrs) (Yes/No)
Aspen Valley
Hospital Medical/Life Support 600 kW 14 days None
Senior Center Medical/Life Support Lights Only None
Ready to
plug in 100
kW Portable
Diesel
Generator
Ready to run Limited by Portable
entire Diesel Fuel
building; Capacity. County
smaller unit does not have a
Police and Sheriff can be used generator. Need
stations if we isolated one sent from
(COURTHOUSE) Emergency Services certain areas. None Denver or GJT None
-ire stations Emergency Services 40 kW Natural Gas Supply
Emergency
communication Emergency
transmitters Services/Dispatch Installed
Boilers
and
pumps are
on
generator;
400 kW as long as
Aspen/Pitkin Natural Gas they run
County Generator for we will
Communications the entire have
Center Including Emergency Complex As long as there is some
Jail Services/Dispatch w/Jail 0 natural gas. heat.
1- 1500 watt
1-4000 watt
1-5000 watt 2000
1-8000 watt gallons
as part of unleaded
City of Aspen Mobile 2000
Streets Department Emergency gallons
building Emergency Services Trailer diesel
6
Energy Vulnerability Analysis
•
Onsite
Backup Back-up
Energy Back-up Fuel Heating
Requirement Electrical Capacity Backup Electrical Source
Critical Facility Critical function (kW) source (kW) (gallons) Endurance (hrs) (Yes/No)
Emergency
Coordination
Centers
Ready to
plug in
100kW
Portable
Diesel
Generator
Ready to run Limited by Portable
entire Diesel Fuel
building; Capacity. County
smaller unit does not have a
can be used generator. Need
County Courthouse Emergency if we isolated one sent from
-506 East Main St Svcs/Government certain areas. None Denver or GJT None
Alternate
•
Coordination
Centers
70 KW
City Hall, Emergency Planned for Natural Gas
130 S. Galena St Svcs/Government 273 server room Planned None
Aspen Recreation
Department, Emergency
110 E. Hallam Svcs/Government None None
Aspen Parks
Department,
585 Cemetery Emergency
Lane, Svcs/Government None None
Emergency Services
(Heating Center.
Aspen Recreation Temporary Lodging,
Center etc) 420 None , None
Emergency Services
(Heating Center,
Red Brick/Yellow Temporary Lodging, 110 Red Brick
Brick etc) 45 Yellow Brick None None
RFTA Buses Shelter in Place None None
American Red
Cross Designated
Shelters
Aspen High School
235 High School Shelter(Capacity
Road 500) None None
;t Mary's Catholic
church, 533 East Shelter(Capacity
Main 50) None None
7
Energy Vulnerability Analysis
Onsite
Backup Back-up
Energy Back-up Fuel Heating
Requirement Electrical Capacity Backup Electrical Source
Critical Facilit Critical function (kW) source(kW) (gallons) Endurance(hrs) (Yes/No)
65 in fuel
Aspen Water tank/+40
supply plant and in Service
•um•in. stations Water 40-80 100 Truck 10-11 hrs None
Wastewater
treatment plants
and pumping Natural
stations Wastewater 423 900 4000 6 da s Gas
Terminal is
not equipped
with a
generator
Only in AOC
Terminal—768 -Diesel
Aspen Air•ort Trans.ortation AOC -307 Generator 898 24 hrs. None
Energy Requirement - Anticipated electrical demand (kW) required to service critical
loads while primary power source is unavailable.
Back-up Electrical Source - Identify the back-up power source for the critical facility. For
example, installed Diesel Generator, portable Diesel Generator, Natural Gas Generator,
LP Gas Generator, etc. Back-up generators should be tested monthly.
Onsite Fuel Capacity - The size of the back-up generator onsite fuel tank.
Back-up Electrical Endurance - The number of hours the onsite full tank will last without
refueling at full back-up generator load.
Back-up Heating Source - The facility has an alternative means of space heat for
occupants if the primary source fails (electrical space heaters, propane space heaters).
8
Energy Vulnerability Analysis
2.2 Critical Energy System Components and Emergency Responsibilities.
The table identifies the parties responsible for operation, maintenance, repair, or
replacement of critical energy system components in an emergency, including suppliers,
customers, and tenants.
Table 2—Critical Energy System Components and Emergency Responsibilities
Commodity Rating/ Responsible Plans to repair
Capacity party, contact or replace in
information emergency
Electrical System
AABC N/A Holy Cross Potential for
Substation spare
Name Also has access
Glenwood HQ to mobile
substation
Phone Number
(970) 945-5491 _
Natural Gas System
Mains N/A Source Gas SourceGas
Transmission Response
Compressor Teams
Distribution
Name
Basalt Office
Phone Number
970-927-0482
Gasoline and Diesel fuel
Resupply Estimated Colette Unleaded fuel
Needed Enterprises 2000 gallon on
Quantity site storage
TBD Ray Diesel storage
2000 gallons on
site storage
Contract# 970-924-7771
9
Energy Vulnerability Analysis
2.3 Portable Energy Generator Needs.
In the event of a prolonged electrical power disruption, portable generators need to be
provided to the following facilities within the first 8 hours of an outage.
Table 3 -- Portable Generator Requirements
Energy
Requirement
Critical Facilit Critical function kW)
Courthouse EOC • 100 kW
Public Shelters Public Safety >50 kW
City Hall Public Communications 100 kW
Traffic Lights Safety <10 kW
Note: If Courthouse is used as EOC, need to obtain and hookup 100 kW generator to
supply power.
Back up portable generators will be identified as resources in the Emergency operations
Plan.
•
10
3. Energy Emergency Preparedness and Operations Plan
3.1 Preparedness.
3.1.1 System Design.
The City of Aspen is served by radial electric and natural gas transmission lines that
roughly follow Highway 82. Loss of either of these commodity supply lines will result in a
prolonged energy outage requiring an active unified response by City and County
government.
Emergency Generators in Table 1 and Table 3 identify critical facilities that require
immediate power in the event of an electrical outage. The City's Utilities Department is
responsible for training operators and maintaining and testing fixed emergency
generators. Respective City Departments are responsible for training operators and
maintaining portable generators belonging to their departments. An inventory of fixed
emergency generators located in private buildings (hotels) should be taken during
annual fire inspections. Results of these inventories should be incorporated in a
database maintained by the City's Utilities department to facilitate response planning
and system restoration.
3.1.2 Energy Assurance Plan Maintenance.
The City's Utilities Department is responsible for maintaining and updating this plan on
an annual basis and coordinating training on salient aspects of this plan with the Pitkin
County Emergency Management Coordinator and City Police Department. Annual
review of the plan should include listing of critical facilities, points of contact, inventories
of equipment, verification of equipment maintenance and operator training, especially
emergency generator operations, and review of memorandums of understanding for
mutual support. See Attachment 3.
3.1.3 Identification of Vulnerable Population.
Some portions of the population may be more vulnerable to power outages than the
general population. Good operating practice dictates that the vulnerable population be
identified throughout the emergency response area, regardless of electrical service
provider. Attachment 1, Vulnerable Population Identification Form should be used and
replies filed as directed by the City's Utilities Department for use during a power outage.
3.1.4 Communications Plan.
Long Term
As part of general emergency preparedness and in particular for energy related outages
a prepared population can greatly reduce the burden on emergency responders and
local government. A long term communications strategy should be adopted through
utility billing inserts and other communication vehicles to encourage the general
population to take steps to be as self sufficient as possible for at least 72 hours.
Residents should be reminded they should NOT keep themselves warm with
11
unsafe things like barbeque grills, unvented heaters and make sure their carbon
monoxide detectors are operating.
Attachment 2, Power Disruption Safety Tips, provides an example of the type of
information that should be provided to the general population.
Incident Response
Emergency public information procedures are found in the Pitkin County Emergency
Operations Plan.
Coordinated joint public information is paramount to emergency management and
response activities. The City of Aspen, Pitkin County and the utility service providers
(Holy Cross, SourceGas) must all be communicating the same message in order to
minimize confusion, facilitate rapid restoration, and protect the public. A Joint
Information Center (JIC) should be established as soon as feasible with appropriate
representation from the City of Aspen, Pitkin County and the utility service providers in
order to provide consistent, coordinated, accurate, accessible, timely, and complete
information. The JIC will be the forum through which the Unified Command provides
coordinated information to the public through elected officials, public information
officers, and other representatives. The JIC will be the focal point for all messages to
the media and general public.
It is vital to the response effort that all agencies involved put out timely and accurate
information on:
• Responsibility for incident command and incident leadership.
• Estimated outage restoration.
• Public Safety messages.
o During winter- notify property managers and homeowners to drain pipes
before they freeze.
• Requests for assistance.
• Vulnerable populations.
Assets available.
Information dissemination should be done through multiple media outlets or alternatives,
including:
News releases Reverse 911
Blogs Reader boards
Mass e-mails Loud speakers
Text messages Door-to-door
Website posting Fliers/factsheets
Outage notification systems Public service announcements
12
3.2 Operations Plan.
3.2.1 Incident Command System. Energy Emergency Preparedness and Operations Plan
A current listing of Utilities Department points of contact will be maintained by the
Communications Center. Upon notification of widespread energy outages the
Communications Center will contact the City's Utility Director and the City
Manager/Mayor. Upon declaration of a local emergency the Incident Command System
will be set up and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated, A wide-spread
energy emergency will require the use of a Unified Command with City and County
Representatives.
Figure 1 --Incident Command System for Energy Emergency
Unified Command
Structure
City and County
Public Information
Safety
Incident Management *"
.
Group Utilities Department
Liaison
I I 1 1
Operations Planning Logistics Administration/Finance
Operations Section is responsible for all tactical activities focused on saving lives and
property through response to vulnerable population, reducing the immediate hazard
through deployment of and use of emergency generation and standard outage response
procedures, establishing situational control through communication with other
departments and utility service providers, and restoring normal operations. Lifesaving
and responder safety will always be the highest priorities.
Planning Section collects, evaluates, and disseminates incident situation information
and intelligence to the Incident Commander and incident management group. This
Section prepares status reports, estimates duration of outage, displays situation
information, maintains the status of resources assigned to the incident, and prepares
documentation based on Operations Section input and guidance from the Incident •
Management Group.
13
Logistics Section is responsible for all service support requirements needed to
facilitate effective and efficient incident management, including ordering resources from
off-incident locations such as diesel fuel/gasoline. This Section also provides facilities
(mass shelter/feeding/warming), security (of the incident command facilities and
personnel), transportation, supplies, equipment maintenance and fuel, food services,
communications and information technology support, and emergency responder
medical services, including inoculations, as required.
Finance/Administration Section is established when the incident management
activities require on-scene or incident-specific finance and other administrative support
services. Some of the functions that fall within the scope of this Section are recording
personnel time and reimbursable expenses.
3.2.2 Energy Emergency Response.
Key priorities for the Unified Command during the response to an energy emergency
should include:
1. Respond to life safety/vulnerable population needs. See Attachment 1.
2. Contact local utility providers and determine estimated restoration timeframe.
3. Notify Incident Management Group of estimated restoration timeframe.
4. Verify critical facilities are operational.
5. Verify fuel requirements to support back-up generation and/or heating
requirements can be met.
6. Make recommendation to the Incident Management Group regarding Public
Information needs.
7. Based on restoration timeframe and other factors recommend whether or not
mass shelter facilities should be activated for warming/feeding general
population. Emergency Shelter Sites will be identified in accordance with
Emergency Support Function #6, Mass Care, Housing and Human Services.
8. Determine resource gap and request needed resources through:
a. Memorandums of Understanding/Mutual Aid Agreements.
b. State and County Resources.
c. National Guard.
9. Determine whether additional resources are needed and can only be obtained
through declaration of emergency by the Governor.
10.Establish a Joint Information Center.
11.Ensure proper electrical safety practices are observed during emergency
generator operation and system restoration.
14
3.2.3 Assignment of Radio Frequencies for Emergency Communications.
Radio frequencies for communication during emergency response and recovery efforts
are assigned by the Aspen/Pitkin Communications Center. Note that the SCADA
system may be able to be used as back-up radio system with 12 hours battery back-up.
3.2.4 Emergency Support Agreements with Utility Service Provider
Contractors.
Table 4 Emergency Support Agreements with Utility Service Contractors
Critical need Company and contact Emergency support contingency clauses for
identified restoring critical loads
High voltage Company XYZ Restore transformers (example)
Electricians Name
Phone
Portable Company XYZ Provide XX number portable generators and hook up
Generators Name at following locations:
Phone
Electrical Company XYZ Provide emergency supply of electrical conductor
Conductor Name
Phone
Note: These will be filled in as agreements are finalized.
3.2.5 Mutual Aid Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding.
The following Mutual Aid Agreements or Memorandums of Understanding exist to
support emergency response.
Example for illustrative purposes
MOU #1. Holy Cross Electric. Provided technical assistance with outage response to
Emergency Operations Center personnel and provided support for public
communications to Unified Command and Joint Public Information Center.
POC Name/ Phone number
MAA #1. Request Colorado National Guard supply emergency generators.
15
3.2.6 Emergency Fueling Plan.
The City of Aspen has emergency fuel contracts for fuel oil and gasoline with vendors
found in Table 2. Coordination of emergency fuel deliveries is the responsibility of the
Logistics Section to ensure continuous operation of the emergency generators and City
vehicles.
Endurance values for emergency generators are found in Table 1 and should be used
for scheduling fuel deliveries. For the purpose of scheduling fuel deliveries for any future
emergency generators, fuel use will be estimated for each generator size to determine
endurance.
16
3.3 Recovery.
A systematic recovery is necessary to maintain work safety, complete documentation
and ensure reimbursement for emergency expenditures. Key priorities for the Unified
Command during the response to an energy emergency should include:
1. Upon notice that the situation has been restored to normal, proclaim an end to
the event.
2. Inform local government departments to revert to normal operations.
3. Inform the Incident Management Group.
4. Provide appropriate public information through the JIC and disestablish the JIC.
5. Shut down emergency generation and coordinate the retransfer to local electric
utility power.
6. Remove portable generators and return them to storage.
7. Return back-up equipment to standby status and replenish fuel supplies.
8. Reset traffic signals.
9. Complete damage reports if an emergency was proclaimed.
10.Hold a debriefing.
11.Verify Finance/Administration Department has all required documentation.
12.Complete after Action Report and brief City Government on event.
•
17
Attachment 1 Vulnerable Population Identification
The following is the survey used by the City of Aspen Utilities to request information
directly from vulnerable (i.e. life support) electric customers.
This information will be made available to public safety agencies and any other
emergency support function teams that may need this information in case of an
emergency.
Dear Resident,
To better serve our community, the City of Aspen is identifying electric service
customers whom use life-sustaining equipment at their homes due to serious
medical conditions, significant physical or mental impairments, or have other
significant limitations that would be adversely affected by an interruption in
power. If you meet these criteria, please complete and return the attached
survey. We appreciate your participation which is voluntary and confidential.
Please note that your participation in this survey does not imply any change in
service, additional services, or other obligations for your electric service from the
City of Aspen. Please contact Lee Ledesma at 970.429.1975 or
feel @ci.aspen.co.us with any questions.
Name:
Street Address:
Mailing Address:
Home Phone: Mobile Phone:
Electric Provider: City of Aspen Holy Cross Energy
City of Aspen Account #
Holy Cross Energy Account #
Do you have any medical equipment that requires uninterrupted electric
power? Yes No
18
What type of electrically powered medical equipment do you
use?
How often do you use this equipment?
Do you have a back-up power supply for this equipment? Yes No
If yes, please describe the back-up power supply and approximately how long it
can operate the equipment.
Is there any other reason why you would need an uninterrupted power supply?
Signature
19
Attachment 2 Power Disruption Safety Tips
General Public.
What Should I Do?
• Meet with your family and/or neighbors to discuss the disruptions and how to
prepare and respond.
• Have a plan for medically fragile friends and relatives. If they use life support
equipment, know if the equipment has a battery back-up and test it.
• Know and watch for signs of heat stress or hypothermia, particularly in small
children and the elderly and medically fragile.
During Summer.
• Be aware of days of extreme heat predictions by listening to the radio, TV and/or
reading the paper.
• Stay indoors and avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Wear light colored, lightweight and loose fitting clothing.
• Make appointments for the doctor, shopping etc. in the morning.
• Prevent dehydration by drinking at least 6-8 glasses of fluids every day.
• Avoid coffee, caffeine containing soda, tea and alcohol.
• Avoid any direct exposure to the sun. If you must go outside, wear sunscreen, a
hat and conduct outdoor activities during the coolest part of the day.
During Winter.
• If you go outside for any reason, dress for the season and expected conditions: For
cold weather, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather
than one layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and
water-repellent.
• Mittens are warmer than gloves.
• Wear a hat.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs from extremely cold air.
• Wear sturdy, waterproof boots in snow or flooding conditions.
• Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your house cooler than normal.
• Temporarily shut off heat to less-used rooms.
• If using kerosene or propane heaters, maintain ventilation to avoid build-up of toxic
fumes.
• Keep heaters at least three feet from flammable objects.
• Refuel kerosene or propane heaters outside.
• Avoid travel, if possible. If you must travel, do so during daylight.
• Don't travel alone.
• Stay on main roads and keep others informed of your schedule.
• Prepare home for possible freezing of pipes.
20
Special Concerns.
• Health concerns associated with a rise in temperature include heat
cramps, heat fatigue, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.
General signs and symptoms of heat related health problems include weakness,
dizziness, nausea, and/or muscle cramps.
For heat cramps, heat fatigue or heat syncope.
• You should stop the activity which caused the symptoms and move to a cooler
environment if feasible. If you have other medical concerns, you should contact
your physician.
For heat exhaustion.
• Seek immediate medical attention. Do everything possible in the interim of medical
advisement inclusive of moving to a cooler environment as feasible, minimize
activity, drink water or juice, and use cool wet clothes on the body.
• Signs and symptoms of heat stroke include sudden high temperature, headache,
rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, profuse sweating, muscle
rigidity, confusion/altered mental status and/or possible seizures.
For heat stroke.
• Call 911 immediately, as this is a medical emergency. Be sure to move to a cooler
environment as feasible, apply cold water compresses to the body or immerse your
body in cool water while waiting for medical transport.
Frostbite.
• Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that can permanently damage its
victims. A loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, or nose
and ear lobes are symptoms of frostbite
Hypothermia.
• Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less
than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable
shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness, and
exhaustion.
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For Frostbite or Hypothermia.
• If frostbite or hypothermia is suspected, begin warming the person slowly and
seek immediate medical assistance. Warm the person's trunk first. Use your own
body heat to help. Arms and legs should be warmed last because stimulation of
the limbs can drive cold blood toward the heart and lead to heart failure. Put
person in dry clothing and wrap their entire body in a blanket.
• Never give a frostbite or hypothermia victim something with caffeine in it (like coffee
or tea or alcohol). Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and
hasten the effects the cold has on the body. Alcohol, a depressant, can slow the
heart and also hasten the ill effects of cold body temperatures.
What Will I Need?
• An extra three-day supply of any needed medication or medical supplies.
• A first aid kit for your home.
• A battery-powered radio with fresh batteries (this may be your only source of
information during the disruptions).
• Additional supplies for special needs (i.e. infants, seniors, pets).
• Have reserve supply of bottled water.
Seniors and/or Persons with Disabilities.
• Contact the local electrical utility company in advance about any specific needs
regarding machines or other life-sustaining devices that depend on electricity. If
lack of electricity would create an immediate threat to life or safety, local public
safety agencies should also be given advance notification.
• To expedite emergency response, house numbers should be readily visible from
the street.
• For people using battery-powered mobility or breathing equipment, assure that
batteries are fully charged each day. Contact your medical equipment provider to
be aware of their ability to assist during a power disruption.
• Establish a support network of friends and neighbors who can check in
periodically if the power is out to assure that assistance is available if needed.
• Keep a flashlight or lantern equipped with fresh batteries within easy reach, so
that some light is immediately available if the power does go out. For people with
limited reach or grasping ability, inexpensive battery-operated touch lamps are a
good option. Such lights can be installed in areas of greatest use, and are small
enough to be carried in an emergency. Do not use candles or oil lamps for light in
an emergency, as they can be fire hazards.
• Store supplies of medicine and drinking water so they will be readily accessible in
the event of a power disruption. Some household water supplies may be
disrupted during power disruptions.
• Assemble a 10-day supply of prescription medications and durable medical
goods and store them in a convenient location, in the event that a prolonged
electrical disruption or other emergency should require evacuation.
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• A copy of emergency contact numbers and current prescriptions should be
stored in the same location.
• Cordless telephones may not work during a power disruption, so consider
keeping a standard phone plugged into a second phone jack in case it is ever
needed. A cellular phone is also a good back-up option, but be aware that in a
widespread emergency any communication network may quickly become
overloaded with calls.
• When an electrical disruption occurs, turn off all appliances, computers and lights
except for one that will indicate when power has been restored.
• Food Safety - Perishable food should not be held above 40 degrees for more
than 2 hours. During a power disruption, do not open the refrigerator or freezer,
as an unopened refrigerator will keep food cold enough for a couple of hours. If
the refrigerator was out for more than 2-4 hours, you are best to discard
perishables.
For Further Information Contact the City of Aspen, American Red Cross or Council on
Aging.
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