Skip Navigation LinksAFL-20-59

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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor

State of Californiaā€”Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health


AFL 20-59
July 13, 2020


TO:
All Facilities

SUBJECT:
Public Safety Power Shutoff Power Outage Reporting



All Facilities Letter (AFL) Summary

  • This AFL notifies health care facilities that California energy companies may proactively turn off electric power to any electric customer in California as a part of a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event.
  • Facilities should ensure their local energy company is provided with the most up-to-date contact information to receive outage alerts.
  • PSPS events, when used, are regarded as an unusual occurrence. Facilities must report the unusual occurrence of a PSPS event to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Licensing and Certification (L&C) Program.
  • Facilities must report PSPS power outages, generator and fuel status, any impact to patients, and any resource needs to the local L&C district office (DO), local public health officer, and Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC).

Background

In an effort to keep communities safe from wildfire and extreme weather events, your local energy company may need to proactively turn off electric power if severe weather threatens a portion of the electric system ā€“ referred to as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event. The power will remain out for as long as the weather conditions pose a potential fire risk. After a PSPS event, your energy company will inspect and repair power lines and equipment so that power can be safely restored.

Depending on the severity of the weather and other factors, power outages could last several hours or multiple days. It is important that your facility has an emergency plan in place. Facilities should review their emergency plans to ensure PSPS events and heat-related precautions are addressed and ensure that the facility has adequate back up power to protect patient safety. Please refer to AFL 20-54 for recommended precautionary measures to keep individuals safe and comfortable during extremely hot weather.

What to Do as an Impacted Facility

CDPH and the local energy companies strongly recommend facilities provide their most up-to-date contact information to their local energy company to receive outage alerts with a minimum of two 24-hour contacts for each facility. Energy companies will make every attempt to advise facilities in advance of notifying customers of a PSPS event. Outreach will occur via phone or email to primary contacts with notice that energy companies are monitoring conditions and that severe weather could cause power outages or require a power shutoff. Please use the links and phone numbers below for instructions on how to update your contact information for your local energy company. Alternate care sites due to COVID-19 are encouraged to work with state, county, or city contacts to share appropriate contact information with the local energy company through their Account Manager.

Unusual Occurrence Reporting

CDPH considers any power outage related to a planned PSPS event as an unusual occurrence, reportable as required in Title 22 California Code of Regulations. Facilities must report such occurrences according to the following guidelines:

Ifā€¦Thenā€¦

During normal business hours

(Monday ā€“ Friday, 8:00 a.m. ā€“ 5:00 p.m.)

Contact the local L&C DO you customarily work with for your geographic location.
After-hours or if the local L&C DO is non- operational due to an emergency and/or disaster ā€‹For facilities outside Los Angeles County, contact the CDPH duty officer at 1-916- 328-3605
For facilities in Los Angeles County, contact the Los Angeles County Operator at 1-213-974-1234. Ask that they notify the on-call Health Facilities Inspector Division supervisor.

 

In addition to contacting the DO, please notify your local Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC) per the local notification protocols. Refer to the MHOAC Program Contact Information (PDF) for a listing of coordinators.

The following facility types must report unusual occurrences:

  • Acute Psychiatric Hospitals
  • Adult Day Health Centers
  • Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospitals
  • Congregate Living Health Facilities
  • Correctional Treatment Centers
  • Intermediate Care Facilities
  • Intermediate Care Facilities/Developmentally Disabled
  • Intermediate Care Facilities/Developmentally Disabled ā€“ Habilitative
  • General Acute Care Hospitals
  • Pediatric Day Health and Respite Care Facilities
  • Primary Care Clinics
  • Psychology Clinics
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities

Please report the following details:

  • Power is out due to a PSPS
  • Generator is functioning and the number of days/supply of fuel currently   available, and/or plans for obtaining more fuel or evacuating if necessary
  • Any impact to patients
  • Any resource needs

Please note facilities must have contingency plans in place to deal with the loss of power.

Support for Customers with Medical Needs

California energy companies are delivering more assistance and outreach to help customers with medical needs before, during and after a PSPS event.

In preparation for PSPS events in 2020, California energy companies made it easier for eligible customers to join the Medical Baseline program. The Medical Baseline program provides additional energy at the lowest price for gas and electric customers who are dependent on life-support equipment or require heating or cooling needs for certain medical conditions. The program also provides extra outreach for customers during a PSPS event, which may include additional notifications, phone calls or in person visits to the home, if confirmation of notification is not received, to ensure customers are aware of the potential power shutoff and can make preparations to stay safe. Facilities looking to promote the Medical Baseline program locally can refer customers to links below:

If you have any questions about this AFL, please contact your local DO.

 

Sincerely,

Original signed by Heidi W. Steinecker

Heidi W. Steinecker
Deputy Director

 

Resources

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