Lights Out - Not If You Have Emergency Power Restoration Plan

With another major hurricane battering the Gulfyou're longing for a hot shower or lights on at
and Atlantic coasts come questions about electricnight, efforts are first focused on restoring power
power and restoration, generators, portableaccording to pre-determined priorities. Soon
power plants, and other means of getting by.enough, power will be restored.
Whether it's a hurricane, earthquake, heat wave,This doesn't mean that you are powerless when
natural disaster, terrorism attack, or any otherit comes to power restoration. If you've ever
interruption to the electrical grid, it soon sinks in -spent any time at an RV resort, then you'll
"When will power be restored?"already be familiar with the convenience of
While the initial days with no power may begenerators. Gas powered generators hum away,
inconvenient - or even feel a bit adventurous in apowering the needs of families on the go.
way - it doesn't take long before powerMicrowave dinners, DVD movies, and air
restoration begins to become a major concern.conditioning are facts of life for many campers.
We can all survive without television for a fewThese comforts of home are readily available to
days, weeks, or even months, but can we handlehomeowners dealing with emergency power
heat and humidity with no air conditioning? Can weoutages.
deal with eating canned meat for days on endGenerators are also called "portable power plants."
because refrigeration is not an option? WhatWhile your neighbors are waiting for days on end
about all those e-mails waiting in your inbox withfor the power company to come out and repair
no way of logging on to retrieve them? Howthe lines, you can enjoy the basic necessities with
about work? Will your employer be open foryour own portable power plant.
business if the power is out? What about school?Large organizations with well-thought-out business
Will the kids be able to go to class or must youcontinuity plans incorporate portable power plants
keep them home? And even if you could go tointo their plans. When the lights go out, the
work or take the kids to school, what about thegenerators go on.
street lights?The city doesn't have to come to a complete
Power outages affect you deeply. All of thesestandstill when the power goes off. In fact, when
questions are legitimate concerns. However,the lights go off, workers spring to action.
power outages have widespread implications. NotPortable power plants and generators soon come
only are you personally inconvenienced, considerto life and repair technicians are dispatched to
how hospitals, law enforcement agencies,repair the infrastructure. In the meantime, if you
wastewater treatment plants, water plants,or a loved one relies on power for medical
power plants, and other vital infrastructures arereasons, aren't you glad that this technology is
affected.available? Hurricanes and earthquakes can knock
Most communities and utilities have plans in placeout the lights - but not for long when you have a
for restoring power in the wake of majorgood emergency power restoration plan in place.
outages with priorities given to vital services. WhileBy: Mr.