Frequently Asked Questions
What is PSE’s Wildfire Program?
PSE’s Wildfire Program invests in the reliability and resiliency of our electric system and implements new technologies and best practices to respond to our region’s increasing wildfire risk. PSE has developed a comprehensive Wildfire Mitigation and Response Plan that includes enhanced situational awareness, grid hardening investments and operational procedures to reduce wildfire risk.
What is a PSPS?
A Public Safety Power Shutoff temporarily shuts off power lines during extreme fire risk weather conditions to help prevent wildfires from starting. It is a measure of last resort to keep you and your community safe.
Where could PSPS be used?
PSPS could be used anywhere in PSE’s service area if a combination of dangerous conditions are forecast, however, customers in areas at higher risk for wildfire are more likely to experience PSPS.
How much notice will customers receive?
Our goal is to provide notice 2 days in advance of a PSPS outage. However, the decision to use PSPS is dependent on weather conditions, which can change quickly, and the timing of notifications is dependent on weather forecasts
How should I prepare for a PSPS?
To ensure we can reach you before and during a PSPS, please make sure your account contact information is up to date. Learn more about the Medical Life Support designation and if you qualify for the program by visiting www.pse.com/medical. Take steps to prepare for a PSPS by visiting pse.com/pspsprep
What if I have a medical device that uses electricity?
Please contact PSE at 1-888-225-5773 if life support equipment is used at your residence that is dependent on electric service. The PSE Customer Care team will provide information on how to apply for Life Support status on your account. Customers with Medical Life Support status noted in their PSE account will receive earlier notification of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), when possible, via phone call in addition to regular customer alerts. Learn more: pse.com/medical. PSE cannot guarantee uninterrupted utility service, and we strongly encourage customers with medical needs to create an emergency plan.
Life Support & Medical Emergencies
PSE works hard to provide reliable service to all customers, and we understand that is especially important for customers that have Life Support equipment or Medical Emergencies at home.
Life Support
Please contact PSE at 1-888-225-5773 if life support equipment is used at your residence that is dependent on electric service. The PSE Customer Care team will provide information on how to apply for Life Support status on your account. Eligibility criteria for Life Support status include:
- Active PSE electric service at the location
- Individual requiring life support equipment lives at the service location
- Customer completes Life Support form with input from their medical provider and returns it to PSE for approval
- Customer completes annual Life Support status review forms and returns them to PSE for approval
When a customer account is approved for Life Support status, a seal is placed on the electric meter to ensure that field personnel know that critical medical equipment is in use at the residence. Customers with Life Support status on their account also receive advanced notice for scheduled outages, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs, when possible, and 48 hours’ notice before disconnection of service due to failure to pay.
Completing the actions above for Life Support status is not a guarantee of service and does not give priority in restoration efforts. PSE strongly suggests that customers have an appropriate emergency plan in place for Life Support.
Examples of in-home Life Support equipment include:
- Dialysis equipment
- Ventilators
- Infant apnea monitors
- Feeding or infusion pumps
- Suction machines
- Oxygen concentrators
- Ventricular assist devices
IMPORTANT: Customers with Medical Life Support status noted in their PSE account will receive earlier notification of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), when possible, via phone call in addition to regular customer alerts. Learn more about PSPS and how you can prepare.
