SCE Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) & Cooling Centers
Preparing for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
Local power utilities (Southern California Edison/PG&E) recently developed plans to shut down power during critical fire weather in order to reduce the risk of wildfires. The Public Safety Power Shutoff Program (PSPS) could lead to multi-day power outages in many areas during periods of extremely hot, dry and/or windy weather.
A PSPS outage will last as long as the potentially dangerous weather conditions exist, plus the amount of time it takes for power company workers to inspect and repair their equipment in the affected area(s). Residents need to be prepared to endure a power outage lasting 3-5 days.
Actual frequency of PSPS events will depend on various weather and environmental factors, and the decision will be made with the most accurate assessment of real-time information and available situational awareness data available.
What does this mean for Ventura County residents?
Power outages impact the whole community and can make it difficult for people to meet their basic needs, as well as:
- Disrupt communications, water, air conditioning and transportation
- Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks and other services
- Cause food spoilage and water contamination
- Prevent the use of medical devices such as oxygen concentrators and other devices
- Prevent the use of elevators, garage doors, electric gates and doors, etc.
What can residents do to be prepared?
- Plan for any medical needs, like medications needing to be refrigerated or battery dependent assistive technology and medical devices.
- Build a Ready, Set, Go! emergency supply kit, including food, water, flashlights, a radio, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
- Register with Southern California Edison and PG&E to receive alerts. Login with SCE.com User ID.
- Sign up for Ventura County emergency alerts at VCAlert.orgÂ
- Identify backup charging methods for phones, such as USB power banks.
- Learn how to manually open your garage door.
- If you own a backup generator, ensure it’s safe to operate.
- For additional PSPS resources, check out this fact sheet from prepareforpowerdown.com.
For more PSPS information, contact your local power company:
Southern California Edison (SCE)
Visit sce.com/PSPS | Phone: 1-800-655-4555
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
Visit pge.com/wildfiresafety | Phone: 1-866-743-6589
Additional Preparedness Resources
- Ventura County Cooling Center Locations
- Prepareforpowerdown.com – PSPS awareness website for all California power companies
- Ready.gov/power-outage – Power outage preparedness information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Cpuc.ca.gov/consumer-support/psps – Information on the California Public Utility Commission’s PSPS actions
- Caloes.ca.gov – California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services website
