PWP Emergency & Safety Information

This section contains information about water and power emergencies and safety concerns. Pasadena's Fire, Police and Public Health departments also provide important information about emergency preparedness and safety advisories.

PREPARE AT HOME

Emergency outages can happen at any time, and in most cases PWP restores service within 24 hours. But after a major disaster, some customers may not have water or power service for days or even weeks. Be sure to calculate an extended period of time without electricity or tap water when your you prepare or refresh your emergency plans and kits.

Prepare for Emergency Outages: 

• Stock emergency kits with enough food, water, weather protection and hygiene/medical supplies for at least 72 hours. Store 1 gallon of water per person per day, and don’t forget to store food and water for pets!
• Always keep on hand fresh batteries, flashlights, ice chests, battery powered radios and manual hand cranks or car chargers for mobile communication devices, all of which are useful during extended power outages.
• Review your emergency communications and shelter plans with family, friends, coworkers and neighbors, and record their contact information on paper and in your cell phone.

Top Electrical and Drinking Water Safety Concerns during an Outage: 

• Stay clear of downed lines and anything touching them. Always assume that a power line is live and hazardous.
• NEVER attempt to remove trees that touch power lines. PWP power crews and licensed arborists have expert training in safely removing trees.
• If you are in a car that a downed power lines is touching, DO NOT get out of the car. Wait for an emergency responder.
• If you use a generator, run it outdoors and connect it directly to appliances using a heavy-duty extension cord. NEVER connect a generator directly to house wiring, which is extremely dangerous to power crews and could also cause a fire. More info here. 
• Do not drink water from the tap if a “Boil Water Notice” is issued. Follow PWP and Public Health instructions.

Resources:

General Electrical & Water Safety during an Outage 

How PWP Restores Your Power during an Emergency

Complete Disaster Preparedness/Safety Guidelines from Pasadena Fire 

Pasadena Emergency Response Training (PERT) for families/neighbors of 20 or more 

PREPARE AT WORK

Many of us think of our homes and families when we prepare for disasters, but they can strike during work hours too. Is your company prepared? Businesses may need to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours or more after a major disaster, when police, fire and PWP crews are responding to the most critical needs.     

Prepare for Life/Safety:

Preparing your workplace is much the same as preparing at home. Teach your employees how to duck and cover and what to do for electrical and drinking water safety. Set up an evacuation plan and rehearse! Stock up on emergency kits, including drinking water, flashlights, whistles, blankets, energy bars, first aid supplies, battery powered radios, hand-crank or car chargers for cell phones, cutting tools and a generator (read about generator safety). Keep a change of clothes, shoes and personal items, in case roads are impassable. Learn how to prepare safe drinking water when a "Boil Water Notice" is issued.

Prepare for Business Continuity:

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, ninety percent of companies that don’t recover within five days of a disaster will never recover. Small to medium businesses are particularly vulnerable.

While PWP crews labor around the clock to restore services, you may have to wait days or even weeks after a major disaster. Businesses that can adapt to conditions without water and power will suffer far less.  PWP recommends that companies of all sizes prepare a business continuity plan. A nimble, practical plan with manual workarounds, alternative supply chains, emergency communications tactics and “plan b” service offerings can help you keep your doors open. That’s good for your bottom line, not to mention for the community which depends on you, especially in the aftermath of a disaster.

Resources: 

Business Continuity Plan Templates from Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)  

Business Continuity Online Workshops from U.S. Small Business Administration 

Readiness Assessment Tools from American Red Cross 

General Electrical & Water Safety During an Outage 

How PWP Restores Your Power During an Emergency 

Complete Disaster Preparedness/Safety Guidelines from Pasadena Fire 

Pasadena Emergency Response Training (PERT) for work groups of 20 or more