Resources to Prepare

Due to potential wildfire inducing conditions, Southern California Edison (SCE) has issued a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) warning for portions of our region today and tomorrow. Depending on weather conditions, the PSPS may be longer. My office is in constant communication with SCE as well as cities, school districts, public safety agencies and utilities in our district. While the exact locations of the possible PSPS are still to be determined, it is important to do several things to prepare.

Preparing for a Power Outage:

• Plan for medical needs like medications that require refrigeration or devices that need power.
• Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers.
• Build or restock your emergency kit with a battery-operated radio, flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
• Ensure your contact information with SCE is up to date so that you receive the latest updates as well as the county community warning system. 
• Police will conduct welfare checks by request by calling the nonemergency number, but please check on your elderly, and inform neighbors, friends and family to take some of the stress off of police services during the PSPS.

Power Outage Safety Tips:

• If you see a downed power line, do not touch it or anything in contact with it. Call 911 immediately.
• Power outages in the area may impact traffic signals so motorists should use extreme caution and treat all intersections as four-way-stops.
• If you are in a vehicle with a fallen power line on it, stay in the vehicle and remain calm until help arrives. It is OK to use your cellphone to call 911. If you must leave the vehicle, remember to exit away from downed power lines and exit by jumping from the vehicle and landing with both feet together. You must not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Then proceed away from the vehicle by shuffling and not picking up your feet until you are several yards away.
• Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid fire hazards in your home or business. 

SCE PSPS Updates:

• Update your contact information at 800-655-455 or by visiting the SCE website. SCE will use this information to alert customers through automated calls, texts, and emails, when possible, prior to, and during, a PSPS.
• To get latest information about PSPS visit: sce.com
• You can check if your address will be impacted by the PSPS

Community Alert Systems:

• NIXLE Alerts: Sign up to receive alerts from your local police department with city-specific information about the shutdown: nixle.com
• City of San Fernando warning system: Sign up for alerts, ci.san-fernando.ca.us
  • If you receive a call from (818) 898-1246, please answer – this is Alert San Fernando calling with important emergency information.
• County of Los Angeles Alert System: Sign up for alerts, lacounty.gov

My office is working remotely, but continues to actively monitor the situation and keep in contact with local agencies. Please contact us if you are having any difficulty with state agencies in relation to the PSPS or if you need assistance accessing services.

For more information, or if you need assistance, please visit my website or call my office at 818-504-3911.

It is always my pleasure to serve you,

Luz Rivas
Assemblywoman, 39th District