One of the key calls to action is for PG&E customers to update their contact information at their earliest convenience to help PG&E notify them in the event of a possible PSPS:
- Update contact info with PG&E online or by calling 1-866-743-6589 during normal business hours to receive alerts directly from PG&E through automated calls, texts and emails, when and where possible, prior to a PSPS.PG&E accountholders can give permission to family members or friends who want to be notified of a PSPS activation to add another person’s phone number to an account to be contacted to ensure they can help with their notification or emergency planning in the event of a PSPS.
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Follow @PGE4ME on TwitterSign up for text messages/emails to receive updates on specific PG&E outages
- PG&E customers dependent on life-support equipment (including CPAP machines) and/or require special heating or cooling needs for certain medical conditions should sign up for PG&E’s Medical Baseline Program, which provides additional energy at the lowest price for customers and ensure the special medical needs of these customers are addressed during a PSPS.
- Check PG&E’s open house schedule for upcoming open house opportunities.
- Visit pge.com for additional information on creating an emergency kit, checklist and to obtain outage information – searches can be done by address/area to see if there are any outages, the reason for the outages & when power is expected to be restored.
- Develop your own plan using the aforementioned resources:
- Build or restock emergency supply kits with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
- If you have children, make sure any clothing set aside for an emergency still fits them.
- Check the expiration dates on medicine and emergency food items.
- Establish an emergency meeting location.
- Know how to manually open garage doors and automatic gates.
- Keep vehicles fueled up.
- Keep cell phones and/or other electronics charged.
- Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep a hard copy of emergency numbers on hand.
- Plan for medical needs like medications that require refrigeration or devices that need power.
- Know how to turn off your main electricity switch at the time of the PSPS, so when power comes back on the surge won’t ruin appliances.
- If considering using a back-up generator, visit PGE.com/generator for information and helpful guides on sizing and safety tips to consider.
- Marketplace.pge.com is another resource with links and connections to vendors who provide generators and other resources.
- Use a qualified electrician to install generators to ensure that it is appropriately ventilated, safely connected to the grid and will disconnect from the grid – this is very important for the safety of PG&E field personnel who are working on the lines if generators are operating and not disconnected from the grid.
- If you have a standby emergency generator, make sure it is working and has fuel.
- Email PG&E with any outstanding PSPS questions: wildfiresafety@pge.com
- Text your zip code to 888777 to receive Nixle alerts from your local agencies