Emergency Operations - Licensed Facilities

What to Do During An Emergency?

In short, close. If there is an emergency, it is probably not safe to operate, and impossible to comply with the Rules. We understand that closing operations is difficult; however, keeping you, your employees, and your customers safe is much more important.

For more specific guidance, see: 'Prolonged Utility Outage Response Guidance' for licensed facilities. This document describes what to do during:

Electrical Power Outages & Public Safety Power Shut-Offs (PSPS)
Drinking Water Outages & Boil Advisories
Wastewater System Outages
Natural Gas Utility Outages

Preparing your business/organization for an emergency is important for you and your employees. It also helps protect the public’s health.

If you have the appropriate resources available to operate during a utility outage (like a full-establishment generator, capable of supplying electricity during a prolonged power outage), your operation may submit plans for formal approval (along with a fee), in advance of the emergency. We will review your plans and help you make revisions until a plan is reached that is approvable.

Without a formal approval to operate, close. If formal plans are submitted, please ensure that all public health concerns/issues are addressed by your plan. Temporary reduction in sanitation standards, or access to appropriate resources, will not be an approved.

Prolonged Utility Outage Response Guidance Guidance for Licensed Facilities

Guidance for Power Outages: Licensed Facilities (7/10/19) Prolonged Power Outage means: A disruption in electrical power/service that exceeds 4 hours, without a definitive timeline for when electricity will be restored. Prolonged power outages may last: hours, days, months, or even years depending on the severity of the incident/event.

Guía para cortes de energía: instalaciones con licencia (7/10/19) Interrupción de energía prolongada significa: Una interrupción en la energía / servicio eléctrico que excede las 4 horas, sin un plazo definitivo para cuando se restaurará la electricidad. Los apagones prolongados pueden durar: horas, días, meses o incluso años, dependiendo de la gravedad del incidente / evento.