EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION 12 (ESF 12)

ENERGY CONTINUITY

I. Lead Agency:GadsdenCounty Emergency Management

II. Supporting Agency:Florida Power

Talquin Electric

City of Chattahoochee

Town of Havana

City of Quincy

GadsdenCounty Division of Facilities Management

III. Introduction

A.Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance to agencies involved in maintaining and restoring utility services in GadsdenCounty following a disaster or capacity shortage.

B.Scope

The scope of this procedure involves coordinating the restoration of electrical power to areas experiencing service interruptions. This emergency function will work closely with local and state agencies and utility companies.

  1. Assumptions
  1. Following a disaster, widespread power outages may affect GadsdenCounty.
  1. Power supply may also be interrupted during times of extreme temperature events, when generating capacity is insufficient to meet demand.
  1. Local utility repair crews may be overwhelmed responding to power outages in GadsdenCounty and other portions of the Panhandle.
  1. Assistance from utility providers may be delayed because of widespread service outages.

IV. Concept of Operations

A.General

In the event of widespread utility outages, the Gadsden County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will activate all appropriate functions. The EOC will serve as the focal point for coordinating response and recovery activities. Emergency personnel will be notified and mobilized to coordinate relief efforts and communicate with the public, local and state agencies, and utility providers.

Florida Power provides electrical transmission service in GadsdenCounty. The electricity provided by Florida Power is then purchased by Talquin Electric and municipalities in GadsdenCounty for retail service. Talquin Electric supplies Greensboro, Gretna and Midway as well as the unincorporated areas of the County.

Florida Power is responsible for maintaining and repairing its utility transmission lines while Talquin Electric and the municipalities of Chattahoochee, Havana and Quincy are responsible for maintaining their distribution systems.

B.Organization
  1. The Gadsden County Emergency Management Department is the primary agency responsible for coordinating this function. Florida Power, Talquin Electric and the municipalities of Chattahoochee, Havana and Quincy will support the EM Department in the field.
  1. The agencies charged with responsibilities for this function are grouped in the Infrastructure Branch of the Operations Section of the Incident Command System (ICS) used by GadsdenCounty (see ICS Response chart at the end of this procedure).
  1. If needed, assistance will be requested through ESF 12 at the State EOC.
  1. Pre-Event Actions
  1. Utility Liaisons

Florida Power and Talquin Electric will identify utility liaisons that can be contacted by the EOC. Liaisons for municipal utilities are listed in the Gadsden County Notification Directory.

  1. Pre-Staging Equipment and Personnel Resources

In response to a major tropical weather event, Florida Power and Talquin electric may pre-stage equipment and personnel outside of the area expected to be impacted.

  1. Prepare Facilities for Severe Weather

In response to a major tropical weather event, all electric utilities will ensure, to the extent possible, that facilities are prepared for severe weather.

  1. Response and Recovery Actions
  1. Damage Assessment

As soon as possible following a disaster, repair crews for Florida Power, Talquin Electric and municipal utilities will begin entering affected areas to determine the extent of damage to power lines and utility substations. This information will be provided to the Gadsden County EOC by the utility liaison. The damage assessment information provided by utility crews will be evaluated by the Gadsden County EM Department to determine if it is safe for GadsdenCounty damage assessment personnel to enter the area.

  1. Power Restoration Priorities

Electric utilities will begin restoring electricity service as soon as possible following an event. For major or catastrophic events, each utility has mutual aid agreements with other electrical utilities and electrical contractors to assist in restoration efforts. Utility companies will restore power to critical facilities first, including law enforcement agencies, fire departments, hospitals, nursing homes, the EOC and persons with energy dependent medical needs. After power has been restored to priority users, electricity will be restored to the general public and businesses.

  1. Requesting Additional Resources

Should additional resources be necessary, assistance can be requested by the Gadsden County EM Department through ESF 12 at the State EOC. The Public Service Commission, Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group and the Florida Petroleum Council staff ESF 12 at the State EOC. Utility companies can also directly request assistance from other electrical utilities and electrical contractors.

V. Responsibilities of Lead and Support Agencies

  1. Florida Power
  1. Florida Power is responsible for directing all resources needed for electrical power restoration on Florida Power transmission lines in GadsdenCounty.
  1. Florida Power is responsible for coordinating with the Gadsden County EOC on activities related to continuity of power.
  1. Talquin Electric
  1. Talquin Electric is responsible for directing all resources needed for electrical power restoration on Talquin Electric power distribution lines in GadsdenCounty.
  1. Talquin Electric is responsible for coordinating with the Gadsden County EOC on activities related to continuity of power.
  1. City of Chattahoochee Utilities, Town of Havana Utilities, City of Quincy Utilities
  1. Responsible for directing all resources necessary for electrical power restoration for their respective electric service areas.
  1. Responsible for coordinating with the Gadsden County EOC on activities related to continuity of power.
  1. GadsdenCounty Division of Facilities Management

The Division will assist in coordinating with electric utility providers to ensure that power is restored as quickly as possible following a disaster.

Additionally, the Division will assist in obtaining outside resources such as generators, for those facilities deemed essential for disaster response.

  1. GadsdenCountyEM Department
  1. Coordinate with the Division of Facilities Management and electric utility providers to ensure that power is restored as quickly as possible following a disaster.
  1. Assist in obtaining outside resources to ensure that power is restored as quickly as possible following a disaster.

ESF 12 - Page 1

Gadsden County CEMP 2012