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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2018 23 Emergency Preparedness Committee Southern California Edison, the electric power provider for Four Seasons Beaumont, recently held a joint public meeting with Cal Fire representatives to outline their new Public Safety Power Shutoff Protocol. Edison announced their July 9 meeting in a mailer that Edison sent to its customers in June. In case you missed both the mailer and subsequent meeting, the key topics are outlined below: • When extreme fire conditions — such as high winds — present a clear danger to the public, Edison may initiate a power shutoff in high-fire-risk areas. High winds, coupled with extreme heat, only exacerbate the threat. Edison said that they view such deliberate power shut-offs as a last resort, only after other operational practices have been exhausted. • Edison will attempt to notify their customers prior to shutting off the power. Edison says that to do this, it is important for them to have your most updated contact information. To get on Edison's notification list, call Edison at (800) 655-4555 or sign up online for their "Outage Alerts" at SCE.com and click on "My Account>Profile>Outage Alert Preferences." • Edison conducted the July 9 meeting jointly with Cal Fire representatives who stated that they are funding non-profit agencies that work on various fire mitigation efforts. Efforts also are aimed at aggressively pruning trees and vegetation adjacent to power poles. Edison encourages customers to visit the Cal Fire website at www. readyforwildfire.org to get tips on how to protect your home and landscaping from wildfires. • At the July 9 meeting, the Record Gazette reported the Edison representatives as saying, "Residents and law enforcement will be notified within 48 hours of a power shutoff or electrical outage. One day out, residents in the exact locations are notified when power is going to be shut off and when it will be restored." • Edison said that customers with a medical condition that require electric-powered life-support equipment should be sure to have a backup power system in place or make other plans for health and welfare during an outage. • Customers should shut off or disconnect all sensitive electronics before the outage to prevent damage or loss of data. If you have a portable gas generator, Edison states that you identify an outdoor location where you can safely use it during an outage. Never use it indoors. ~ Fred Weck

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