The Need for Power

Written by Henry Lin and Edited by Sorina Long

With drier conditions and stronger winds fueled by climate change, utility companies such as Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Edison International have been more attuned to the increased possibility of a downed power line transforming into a devastating fire [1]. These two utility companies, which provide energy to 31 million people in California, have decided to implement policies such as forced power outages to diminish the possibility of fires [2]. While such power outages are only minor inconveniences for the general public, it is a different story for those that rely heavily upon the electrical grid.

When a forced power outage is implemented, how prepared are the families and individuals affected? In a survey of adults with an average age of 70.2, it was revealed that two-thirds had no emergency plan of any sort and that 15% of surveyors used medical devices dependent on the electric grid [3]. The lack of preparation among the 15% of surveyors is especially dangerous because failure of the electric grid can cause their medical devices to fail or malfunction [4]. This would be potentially detrimental in that it could lead to respiratory issues caused by the failure of respiratory equipment [6].

Feelings of unpleasantness associated with the fear of potentially threatening disasters daunt the elderly from taking the necessary steps of preparation. While such feelings may propel younger generations and families to over-prepare, the feelings of helplessness experienced by the elderly, due to their health and living conditions, discourages them from taking action to prepare [5]. As a result, many elderly individuals remain unprepared for potentially dangerous threats such as power outages.

While medical facilities are still able to accommodate the electrical needs of their patients during a power outage, there is a limit. On August 14, 2003, a large Emergency Power Outage (EPO) occurred across the northeastern U.S. that placed a heavy strain on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) [6]. The power outage, caused mostly by a lack of management from the power centers, affected 50 million people and cost 4 to 10 billion dollars [7]. In New York City specifically, up to 85 patients contacted the hospital regarding respiratory issues resulting from malfunctioning medical devices. Such devices included: oxygen conservers, ventilators, suction devices, nebulizers, and airway suction equipment [4]. Although the failure of these devices are not necessarily fatal, it can lead to shortness of breath and panic attacks which can cause more complicated health problems [6]. In the end, records revealed that if EMS demand had only been slightly greater, many patients would not have been reached and many would have developed more severe respiratory issues [6]. This close aversion of disaster also increased the public’s awareness of the reliance many individuals and medical services have on the electrical grid. 

Considering the medical risks some individuals face, it is critical to actively work to minimize the aversive effects of power outages. A possible resolution is the creation of “Emergency Zones” that serve as hospital alternatives for powering medical devices [6]. Improving the way utility companies notify their customers about forced power outages is also important. In one instance, PG&E had failed to notify 23,000 of their customers about an upcoming power outage [8]. Of the 23,000 customers, 500 of them had medical needs. As utility companies impose more forced power outages, more light needs to be shed upon those heavily dependent on the electric grid and the dangers and costs of failing to ensure their health and safety.

References:

1. Serna, Joseph, Lin, Rong-Gong, Peltz, James F. “How do Wildfires Start and Spread?” Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2019, www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-29/how-do-wildfires-start.
2. Smith, Doug. “Fire Sparked as Edison Turned Power Back on Points to Another Hazard for Utilities.” Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2019, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-03/fire-sparked-as-edison-turned-power-back-on-points-to-another-hazard-for-utilities. 
3. Al-rousan, T., Rubenstein, L., Wallace, R. (2014). Preparedness for Natural Disasters Among Older US Adults: A Nationwide Survey. American Journal of Public Health, 104:506–511. 
4. Giglio, J., Green, R.A., Greenwald, P.W., Rutherford, A.F. (2003). Emergency Department Visits for Home Medical Device Failure during the 2003 North America Blackout. Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, 11:786–789. 
5. Dominianni, C., Ahmed, M., Johnson, S., Blum, M., Ito, K., Lane, K. (2018). Power Outage Preparedness and Concern among Vulnerable New York City Residents. J Urban Health, 95:716–726. 
6. DeRobertis, N., Lerner, E., Mener, D., Rand, D. (2005). The Effect of an 18-Hour Electrical Power Outage on an Urban Emergency Medical Services System. Prehospital Emergency Care, 9:391–397. 
7. “Final Report on the August 14, 2003 Blackout in the United States and Canada: Causes and Recommendations.” U.S. Department of Energy, Apr. 2004, www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/oeprod/DocumentsandMedia/BlackoutFinal-Web.pdf.
8. Serna, Joseph. “PG&E failed to notify 23,000 of blackouts; CPUC launches probe of utility power outages.” LA Times, 28 Oct. 2019, www.latimes.com/story/2019-10-28/pge-admits -equipment-failures -power-outages-kincade-fire.