Public Safety Power Shutoff Resource for Nursing Facilities Now Available

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) developed a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) resource to help providers affected by planned power shutoffs, intended for preventing wildfires started from electrical equipment. While planned power outages can help mitigate wildfires and the effects on communities, they pose significant obstacles in maintaining critical health and safety systems for nursing facilities.

In Michigan, each year firefighters respond to 10,000 to 12,000 wildfires started from a variety of causes. AHCA’s newly published Public Safety Power Shutoff resource provides a comprehensive guide to support nursing facilities in preparing for PSPS events and includes regulatory implications and considerations for preparation, mitigation and communication. Using FEMA’s Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, the guide walks through incorporating planned shutoffs into the Hazard Vulnerability Assessment for your facility’s Emergency Preparedness Plan.