Last week, Grand Terrace faced a 36-hour Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) implemented by Southern California Edison (SCE). The outage highlighted vulnerabilities in emergency preparedness, especially for the city’s senior residents, who were left without essential services like heating, lighting, and warm food.
A PSPS, triggered by conditions such as high winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, is designed to prevent wildfires caused by electrical equipment. However, while mitigating fire risk, these shutoffs often leave communities without critical support. The City of Grand Terrace was not informed of the potential duration of the outage. “Had the City known it would last multiple days, resources would have been mobilized sooner,” said Konrad Bowlowich, Grand Terrace City Manager. Instead, the City began activating support on Thursday morning, more than 24 hours into the event. “In this instance, SCE failed to provide warming centers or resources for vulnerable populations and did not adequately notify the City of the outage’s expected duration. This lack of communication delayed the mobilization of emergency services and resources,” he added.
“We need a better understanding of SCE’s process once notifications are made,” said City officials. “This situation has shown us that we need a standing plan for incidents of this nature.”
Despite the challenges, Grand Terrace City staff demonstrated quick action once the situation became clear. They set up a warming center, transportation services for seniors, facilitated refrigerated medication storage, and provided charging stations. Staff maintained an on-site presence to ensure traffic signal operations and assisted residents in returning home after power was restored.
City officials acknowledged the lessons learned, pledging to improve emergency plans and preparedness measures moving forward. “This was an opportunity for us to learn and improve,” officials said. “We’ve documented our actions and are compiling a comprehensive response plan for future incidents.”
The City has initiated several steps to strengthen its resilience, such as working with community-based organizations to manage resources efficiently during crises. “The Grand Terrace Woman’s Club providing meals to the seniors is an excellent example of these coordinated resources,” said a City official. “We are also creating a registry to ensure the safety of at-risk residents during emergencies,” said the official. Steps include creating a means for family members or caregivers to enroll seniors, conducting outreach to encourage participation, and training volunteers to perform wellness checks. The City is currently working on a grant to stockpile emergency resources such as Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) and portable heating devices.
The City of Grand Terrace has formally objected to SCE’s handling of the outage, citing a lack of foresight and planning for vulnerable populations. Officials have requested a debrief with SCE leadership to discuss the outage and plan for improved protocols. “Southern California Edison has a responsibility to ensure essential needs are met during planned outages,” said Newly Elected Council Member Matt Brown . “We expect a transparent review of this incident and concrete steps to prevent a recurrence. These should include better notification, real-time updates, and comprehensive protocols for vulnerable populations.”
For residents who suffered damages due to the PSPS, such as food loss, you can file a claim with SCE online or call (800) 655-4555. For more details, visit SCE’s Claims Page.
If you believe the PSPS event was mishandled or did not comply with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) guidelines, you can file a complaint with the CPUC. The CPUC regulates utilities like SCE and ensures they adhere to protocols for PSPS events. Common grounds for filing a complaint include: Inadequate Notification, if the utility did not provide enough advance notice about the PSPS. Failure to Support Vulnerable Populations, if vulnerable groups (like seniors or medical device users) were not adequately supported. Lack of Resources or Shelters, if there were no designated warming or cooling centers, and critical infrastructure was not maintained during the outage. Improper Execution of the PSPS, if the power shutoff was unnecessarily extended or did not follow the proper procedures.
You can file a complaint through the CPUC’s Consumer Complaint Portal or by calling the CPUC's Consumer Affairs Branch. Visit the CPUC’s official PSPS webpage for more resources and to learn how to report issues related to PSPS events.
Residents are encouraged to prepare for future outages by assembling emergency kits and creating backup power plans and registering with the city for special needs. This is an opportunity for us to use these lessons and prepare for the next event. We live in a disaster-prone area, and all residents should have basic supplies and resources for several days. These include:
- Water: At least one gallon per person per day for a minimum of three days. Include extra for pets and sanitation.
- Non-Perishable Food: Ready-to-eat canned goods, protein bars, dried fruits, and MREs. Include a manual can opener.
- Medications: A seven-day supply of prescription medications and copies of prescriptions. Include over-the-counter medications like pain relievers and antacids.
- First Aid Kit: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, medical tape, gloves, and emergency instruction manual.
- Portable Heating and Cooling: Blankets, hand warmers, or battery-operated fans as needed for the season.
- Flashlights and Lanterns: LED models for efficiency. Avoid candles due to fire risk.
- Extra Batteries: For all devices, matched to their specific requirements.
- Generator or Backup Power Source: For essential medical devices or refrigerators. Use safely and outdoors.
- Hygiene Supplies: Wet wipes, sanitizer, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and trash bags for sanitation.
- Warm Clothing: Layers, hats, gloves, and socks for cold weather.
- Sleeping Bags or Thermal Blankets: Lightweight options to maintain warmth.
- Infant or Pet Supplies: Formula, diapers, pet food, and water bowls.
- Emergency Contacts List: Phone numbers for family, friends, and local resources, including utility companies and shelters.
- Multi-Tool or Swiss Army Knife: For various needs.
- Duct Tape and Plastic Sheeting: To seal windows or repair damage.
- Cash: In small denominations, as ATMs may not work.
For Vulnerable Populations
- Medical Device Batteries or Generators: Ensure backups for life-support devices.
- Mobility Aids: Extra batteries for electric wheelchairs or backups for manual mobility aids.
- Specialty Diets: Foods that meet dietary restrictions for seniors or those with medical conditions.
- Customize the kit for your household’s specific needs, including pets and children.
For additional guidance, consult resources such as FEMA’s Emergency Kit Checklist or the Red Cross’s Preparedness Guide.