Emergency Plan

During a power emergency, Norfolk Power implements an Emergency Plan.  The purpose of this "Emergency Preparedness Implementing Procedure" is to detail the roles and responsibilities of those dealing with Emergencies in order to safeguard the property, health, safety, and welfare of our customers when faced with an emergency.

Definition of Emergency

A power disruption and/or a probable impending power shortage on the local distribution system, which threatens human life, public property, or the social and economic well being of the community.

Types of Emergencies
 
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Trouble Calls
  • Weather Related Power Interruptions
  • System Power Outages (i.e. Blackouts)

Declaration of a "Major Emergency"

A Major Emergency is declared and the Norfolk Power Emergency Plan is activated for any situations that would stress manpower availability beyond 24 hrs or that could significantly impact our customers economically or health and welfare-wise.  When a Major Emergency is declared, normal company and staff activities will be modified (i.e. it will not be business as usual)

Procedure

During the time of an Emergency, an Emergency Coordinator will be assigned (EC).  The EC will constantly assess the situation to determine if there is a need to escalate the Norfolk Power Emergency Plan.  Depending on the type of Emergency, information at hand and the availability of staff, the EC will decide whether to ask the CEO or designate to declare a Major Emergency.  If a Major Emergency is declared the EC shall initiate the Norfolk Power Emergency Plan.

 

End of Emergency Declaration

The Emergency Coordinator will not request that the enactment of the Emergency Plan be terminated until such time he is confident that:

  • all primary lines have been returned to service
  • The remainder of clean-up can be completed with local resources
  • the majority of customers are back in service
  • the initial cause has been identified and mitigated.  For example, in the event of an ice storm, weather forecasters are convinced that the storm front has passed.