Amidst the sweltering Arizona heat, residents of Yavapai County are now bracing for a different kind of disruption: the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. Implemented by Arizona Public Service (APS) in May and aimed squarely at minimizing wildfire risk, the PSPS could see locals in high-risk areas left without electricity when conditions are primed for fire outbreaks. The Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management (YCOEM) is urging the community to not be left in the lurch and start forming emergency plans that consider every family member, four-legged ones included.
Those with medically necessary equipment requiring power can't afford to be caught off guard. It is on us, the residents, to ensure backup power sources are in play and emergency kits stocked with a good supply of the essentials – food, water, and medications, as advised by YCOEM. And when the power does go out, having a plan in place for manual workarounds for now electronic-dependent conveniences could mean the difference between feeling stranded and staying resourceful. For homes that rely on well water, it is particularly critical to strategize how to sustain your animals if an outage hits.
Community communication during these PSPS events is promised to be robust. YCOEM, together with APS, are set to push updates to the population through not just their websites but social media accounts and, lest we forget, traditional local media. Places earmarked for possible PSPS-induced darkness include not only residential areas like Boynton Pass Rd. and Iron Springs but also locales such as the Mingus Academy Girls School and ranches flanking the Hassayampa River.
The dual efforts of the Arizona Emergency Information Network and APS have resulted in a seamless stream of info on the PSPS protocol, all available on their websites. It comes down to vigilant monitoring of threatening fire weather conditions, a measured approach to when the power needs shutting off, and a system to alert residents with time to spare. Customers can expect a heads up four days before power goes down – notifications spanning emails, texts, automated calls, and website updates. Even if your plan is to wait it out, knowing that power restoration will happen mostly within the daylight hours of about 20 hours post-shutoff – barring any repairs – might be the small comfort needed in uncertain times. Those wondering if their neck of the woods is next on the blackout list can find out via the APS map.
