Latest update from Pepco.
Albrette "Gigi" Ransom
Commissioner, ANC 5C12
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Commissioner, ANC 5C12
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----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "ldbunch@pepco.com" ldbunch@pepco.com
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2012 2:14 PM
Subject: Update from Donna Cooper re: Pepco's Response to Hurricane Sandy
From: "ldbunch@pepco.com" ldbunch@pepco.com
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2012 2:14 PM
Subject: Update from Donna Cooper re: Pepco's Response to Hurricane Sandy
Pepco Mobilizes More Than 2,000 Employees and Contractors
to Respond to Hurricane Sandy
Additional 1,560 Outside Restoration Personnel Secured by PHI
Massive Storm Could Cause Unprecedented Outages Across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
Restoration May Extend More Than a Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pepco is preparing for the ferocious winds and rains from massive Hurricane Sandy that likely will cause immense destruction, extreme flooding and millions of power outages throughout the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a federal emergency declaration for jurisdictions in our region. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray also have declared states of emergency, because of the expected unprecedented devastation.
All available utility crews east of the Rocky Mountains have been committed to the restoration effort on the Eastern seaboard. PHI, Pepco's parent's company, has secured 1,563 line personnel from states as far away as Texas and Mississippi. A significant number of outside line personnel have already arrived at Pepco's staging ground at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. PHI is working to secure additional commitments as utilities release crews as the storm's path becomes clear. Crews will be deployed based upon greatest damage and need.
In addition, Pepco has nearly 600 internal and contract line personnel and 300 tree removal personnel on the system and ready for quick mobilization. Nearly 400 customer call representatives are available to answer calls, about 165 assessors are ready to identify storm damage, and around 635 support personnel are working on their special storm response roles.
"Pepco has committed all its resources to Hurricane Sandy. We already are actively working this storm so we can restore power as quickly and safely as possible," said Thomas H. Graham, President, Pepco Region. "However, based on the unprecedented damage that is expected, the restoration period may extend more than a week."
Sandy is an agonizingly slow storm and is expected to produce high sustained over a prolonged period. OSHA regulations do not allow overhead work to be performed in sustained winds of 35 mph or more. As a result, the initiation of damage assessment and restoration work will depend on when the storm passes and winds subside. A thorough damage assessment is critical to deploying resources most effectively and efficiently.
For their safety, Pepco urges the public to stay clear of wires hanging loose from poles or lying on the ground. Customers should not attempt to move them. Customers should call Pepco to make the wires safe.
In response to customer feedback, Pepco has made enhancements to online and mobile tools to track and report outages. Pepco urges customers to view their utility website at pepco.com/storm to learn more about these tools as well as to view safety and storm preparation tips. Customers should report their outage through our Call Center at 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662), through pepco.com, or through our mobile app, available for downloading at Pepco.com/mobileapp.
Restoration Process
In the event severe weather causes widespread damage to the electric system, Pepco will restore power by targeting wires serving critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, fire stations, and police stations, as well as those serving the greatest number of customers. This is similar to clearing roads after a snow storm. Major roads and thoroughfares must be cleared first before secondary roads and neighborhood streets are plowed. Generally the sequence is as follows:
o Downed live wires or potentially life-threatening situations and public health and safety facilities without power.
o Transmission lines serving thousands of customers.
o Substation equipment.
o Main distribution lines serving large numbers of customers.
o Secondary lines serving neighborhoods.
o Service lines to individual homes and businesses.
o Downed live wires or potentially life-threatening situations and public health and safety facilities without power.
o Transmission lines serving thousands of customers.
o Substation equipment.
o Main distribution lines serving large numbers of customers.
o Secondary lines serving neighborhoods.
o Service lines to individual homes and businesses.
Preparation Tips
· Have adequate prescription medicines or infant supplies on hand.
· If you or someone you know uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there during a prolonged outage.
· Assemble an emergency storm kit. Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, an insulated cooler and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.
· Keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available. If you have a pet, make sure there is a supply of food available for them. Be sure to take you pet with you if you have to leave home. Identify pet-friendly motels ahead of time.
· Have a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate, and won't work if there is an outage.
· Protect your electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors, and consider a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for temporary battery backup power.
· Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances if it is safe to do so. However, if you have an electrically operated sump pump, you should not turn off your power.
· Fill your gas tank so you can run your automobile to charge mobile devices. Be sure to open garage doors using manual controls to run the vehicle safely.
· Have adequate prescription medicines or infant supplies on hand.
· If you or someone you know uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there during a prolonged outage.
· Assemble an emergency storm kit. Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, an insulated cooler and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.
· Keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available. If you have a pet, make sure there is a supply of food available for them. Be sure to take you pet with you if you have to leave home. Identify pet-friendly motels ahead of time.
· Have a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate, and won't work if there is an outage.
· Protect your electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors, and consider a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for temporary battery backup power.
· Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances if it is safe to do so. However, if you have an electrically operated sump pump, you should not turn off your power.
· Fill your gas tank so you can run your automobile to charge mobile devices. Be sure to open garage doors using manual controls to run the vehicle safely.
Generator Safety Tips
· If you plan to use a portable generator during power outages, here are important safety precautions:
· Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a generator.
· Locate your generator in a well-ventilated area. Never run it inside, even in your garage. Gasoline powered generators produce carbon monoxide and the fumes can be deadly. Store gasoline or other flammable liquids outside of living areas in properly marked approved containers. They should also not be stored in a garage if a fuel-burning appliance is located there.
· Plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty, properly grounded extension cords. Make sure extension cords are not frayed or worn.
· Use the generator only when necessary, and don't overload it. Turn it off at night while you sleep and when you are away from home to avoid a possible fire hazard.
· For your safety and the safety of employees working to restore power, do not connect your generator directly into your home's main fuse box or circuit panel. Improperly connected generators can feed electricity back into the electrical system, endangering field personnel working to restore your power. Consult a qualified electrical contractor if a permanent generator installation is desired.
· If you plan to use a portable generator during power outages, here are important safety precautions:
· Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a generator.
· Locate your generator in a well-ventilated area. Never run it inside, even in your garage. Gasoline powered generators produce carbon monoxide and the fumes can be deadly. Store gasoline or other flammable liquids outside of living areas in properly marked approved containers. They should also not be stored in a garage if a fuel-burning appliance is located there.
· Plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty, properly grounded extension cords. Make sure extension cords are not frayed or worn.
· Use the generator only when necessary, and don't overload it. Turn it off at night while you sleep and when you are away from home to avoid a possible fire hazard.
· For your safety and the safety of employees working to restore power, do not connect your generator directly into your home's main fuse box or circuit panel. Improperly connected generators can feed electricity back into the electrical system, endangering field personnel working to restore your power. Consult a qualified electrical contractor if a permanent generator installation is desired.
Other Safety Tips
· Tune in to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.
· Follow the advice of your local emergency management officials.
· Take cover if necessary.
· Stay from downed wires. Assume any downed wire is energized.
· Tune in to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.
· Follow the advice of your local emergency management officials.
· Take cover if necessary.
· Stay from downed wires. Assume any downed wire is energized.
Shelter Information
Shelters are available for those affected by the storm. Those going to shelters are advised to bring prescription medicines, critical phone numbers, and comfort items such as personal pillows. The following locations have been identified as shelters:
Montgomery County: Today at noon, shelters will be open at the following locations:
· All outages and downed wires should be reported to 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662). Outages and downed wires also can be report through pepco.com, or through our mobile app, available for downloading at Pepco.com/mobileapp. Customers should request a call back to verify their power has been restored.
# # #
This Email message and any attachment may contain information that is proprietary, legally privileged, confidential and/or subject to copyright belonging to Pepco Holdings, Inc. or its affiliates ("PHI"). This Email is intended solely for the use of the person(s) to which it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivery of this Email to the intended recipient(s), you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this Email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and permanently delete this Email and any copies. PHI policies expressly prohibit employees from making defamatory or offensive statements and infringing any copyright or any other legal right by Email communication. PHI will not accept any liability in respect of such communications.
- White Oak Community Recreation Center, people and pets, at 1700 April La. Silver Spring. The shelter will be capable of housing dogs, cats, and small animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits.
- The Activity Center at Bohrer Park, for people only, at 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg.
- The Mid- County Community Recreation Center, for people only, 2004 Queensguard Rd., Silver Spring.
- Ward 3: Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert Street, NW, (202) 727-7736
- Ward 4: Emery Heights, 5801 Georgia Avenue, NW, (202) 576-3211
- Ward 5: Turkey Thicket, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE, (202) 576-9238
- Ward 7: Deanwood, 1350 49th Street, NE, (202) 671-3077
- Ward 8: Bald Eagle, 100 Joliet Street, SW, (202) 645-3966
- Gwynn Park High School: 13800 Brandywine Rd Brandywine, MD 20613
- Charles H. Flowers High School: 10001 Ardwick Ardmore Road Springdale, MD 20774 (Pet Friendly)
- University of Maryland Ritchie Coliseum: 7950 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, Maryland 20742 (will only accept service dogs)
· All outages and downed wires should be reported to 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662). Outages and downed wires also can be report through pepco.com, or through our mobile app, available for downloading at Pepco.com/mobileapp. Customers should request a call back to verify their power has been restored.
# # #
This Email message and any attachment may contain information that is proprietary, legally privileged, confidential and/or subject to copyright belonging to Pepco Holdings, Inc. or its affiliates ("PHI"). This Email is intended solely for the use of the person(s) to which it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivery of this Email to the intended recipient(s), you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this Email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and permanently delete this Email and any copies. PHI policies expressly prohibit employees from making defamatory or offensive statements and infringing any copyright or any other legal right by Email communication. PHI will not accept any liability in respect of such communications.
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