Prepare for Power Shutoffs
For the most up to date information on emerging emergency situations, visit the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are tactical decisions made by Pacific Gas & Electric in response to inclement weather and involve turning off electricity to help prevent the spread of wildfire.
HPSM members and providers alike depend on electricity. Use these resources to prepare for unexpected or planned power outages.
Get your site ready
Make sure your facility or site are ready for a planned or unplanned electrical blackout.
Readiness checklists
- Powered for Patients Emergency Power Resilience Checklist
- Lifespan Network Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Emergency Preparedness Checklists
Refrigerated medications
Here are resources to help you with medications that require refrigerator or freezer storage:
- Medications stored in the refrigerator
- Stability of refrigerated drugs
- Comparison of insulins
- Information regarding insulin storage and switching between products in an emergency
Preparing your patients
There are a wide range of HPSM members who should have a backup plan for a PSPS emergency. Patients who should have a PSPS emergency plan include but are not limited to:
| Patients who rely on: | Recommendation |
C-PAP machines | Backup generator |
Electric wheelchairs or other mobility assist equipment | Extra charged battery, non-electric alternate |
Dialysis | Backup generator |
Infusion/IV or feeding/nutrition supplement equipment | Backup generator |
Oxygen-related or cardiopulmonary assist devices | Backup generator |
Authorizations
Services requiring review during a PSPS will be classified as urgent. At HPSM, urgent requests signify a delay in care could seriously jeopardize the life or health of the patient and receive response within 72 hours.
HPSM Pharmacy Services will allow members to receive medication replacements if their medication has spoiled during outages from non-refrigeration For emergency situations. HPSM’s Pharmacy Services will authorize at least a 72-hour supply of most medications without restriction.
Programs
There are programs to help prepare your patients who depend on electricity for their well-being.
- Have them sign up for PG&E’s Medical Baseline Program
- Members may also be eligible for PG&E’s CARE and FERA programs to help cover their energy bills
More Resources
- HPSM quick guide for medications and DME
- For San Mateo County specific emergency updates, enroll in SMC Alert and follow the County on Twitter and Facebook
- For traffic updates on the surrounding area, visit 511.org
- See if an address may be impacted by a PSPS on PG&E's website
- For updates on power restoration, see PG&E’s PSPS website
- Individuals may also enroll in PG&E alerts and check address impacts by texting “ENROLL” 97633 or calling 1-800-743-5000
- Update contact information on PG&E's website or by calling 1-866-743-6589 during normal business hours
- PG&E will use this information to alert customers through automated calls, texts, and emails, when possible, prior to, and during, a PSPS
- PG&E will use this information to alert customers through automated calls, texts, and emails, when possible, prior to, and during, a PSPS
- California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
- Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services Emergency Preparedness Checklist