As the Winds of Tornado Season Still Loom, So Does the Risk of Power Outages
Published in: PRNewswire
Date: 6/12/2007
DES MOINES, Iowa, June 12 /PRNewswire/ — National Emergency Preparedness Week starts next week — and there is no better time for it. According to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), this is especially timely given the most recent tornado devastation in eastern Iowa. This severe weather puts power lines and underground electrical equipment at risk, making it important for residents to be prepared for power outages as part of their home-safety plan.
According to Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, damage to electricity poles, wires and other utility equipment accounted for $1.9 million of the more than $2 million damage total during this month’s tornado in eastern Iowa.
To help with public safety preparedness during the summer season, Qwest and NENA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing emergency communications, continue the “Connect for Safety” campaign to raise awareness about how landline telephone service and corded phones help ensure more reliable access to 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Des Moines Area Event
In partnership with NENA and to observe National Emergency Preparedness Week, Qwest will provide 500 free corded landline phones on Saturday, June 23 to Des Moines residents on a first-come first-serve basis. The “Connect for Safety” event will be held at the Qwest Solutions Center at Jordan Creek Mall from 1-3 p.m.
Getting Storm-Ready
Since power outages and other emergencies often strike during late tornado season, it is important for all families to be ready.
Qwest and NENA recommend that all households prepare for scenarios such as these by having an emergency kit on hand including the following items:
— Flashlights with working batteries in easy-to-find locations
— Battery-powered radio
— First aid kit
— Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
— Fire extinguisher
— Corded phone with landline phone service
— List of emergency numbers near the corded, landline phone
Connected to Help
When a call is made from a landline phone in an enhanced 9-1-1 service area, the dispatch center receives the address automatically — saving time and sometimes lives. A system to convey exact location information for cell phone calls to emergency responders is not yet fully deployed in every community, making landlines and corded phones a must-have for all households.
Landlines may be more reliable during power outages, which are more frequent in summer because of blackouts and electrical storms. Cordless, cable and Internet phones can fail during outages because they rely on the main electrical supply, but a traditional home phone with a cord uses an entirely different electrical system.
“Other phone technologies offer great features and mobility benefits, but a landline is more reliable and effective for accessing emergency-response services,” says Robert Martin, executive director for NENA. “To be ready for emergencies, all homes should have at least one landline connected to a corded phone.”
“As families prepare for home emergencies, the need for a corded phone and landline is often overlooked,” says Max Phillips, state president for Qwest in Iowa. “Through this educational campaign and partnership with NENA to develop and enable next-generation emergency communications systems, Qwest wants to help ensure that local residents have reliable home access to potentially life-saving 9-1-1 service.”
For more helpful tips on calling 9-1-1 and about the safety benefits of traditional phone service, visit https://www.connectforsafety.com/.
About NENA
NENA’s mission is to foster the technological advancement, availability and implementation of a universal emergency telephone number system (9-1-1). In carrying out its mission, NENA promotes research, planning, training and education. The protection of human life, the preservation of property, and the maintenance of general community security are among NENA’s objectives.
About Qwest
Qwest offers a unique and powerful combination of managed voice and data solutions for businesses, government agencies and consumers – locally and throughout the country. Customers coast to coast are turning to Qwest’s industry-leading national fiber optic network and its Spirit of Service for quality products and superior customer experience. Qwest is a participant in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world, to provide leading-edge voice, data and video services. For more information on Qwest, and its various operating subsidiaries, please go to https://www.qwest.com/. For information about the products and services Qwest is offering in the Networx contract, visit https://www.gsanetworx.com/
Some cable Internet phone service equipment includes a battery back-up that may provide service up to 8 hours. Qwest landline service combined with a corded phone not requiring electricity is not typically affected by power outages, provided phone lines are intact. Phone service and access to 911 are never guaranteed.