What Will You Do When the Lights Go Out?

Picture this, you're at home and the power goes out. You use an oxygen tank to help you breathe; you're running low and the equipment doesn't work without electricity, so, who do you call?

During its monthly meeting, the Emergency Management Commission discussed the need to devise a plan to assist a particular group of residents should a power emergency occur.

The concern arose on Oct. 13, when a 25-year-old Naugatuck man lost control of his SUV and crashed into a utility pole. The young man died, and the accident resulted in a power outage to nearly half the town for several hours throughout the evening.

Many senior residents and others who depend upon O2 (Oxygen) tanks found themselves in need of assistance because when the power goes out, so does their air.

That day, Medic 33, the town's ambulance, police and volunteer firefighters were spread thin trying to answer all of the "dif breather" calls that came in.

Emergency Management Director Fred Palmer and AMR Paramedic Sal DeLucia, agreed that they were going to need a plan to get oxygen to those who need it in the event of an emergency.

"Situations like this can be scary for people living alone," DeLucia said.

The Committee mulled over a few ideas including picking all of these patients  up and bringing them to the High Plains Community Center — which serves as the town's emergency shelter — where they all can plug into electrical outlets and wait out the power outage. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) would be called to run the shelter for the duration of their stay.

The Committee discussed how AMR would be at a loss if they did not have enough O2 tanks to go around to everyone in need.

Another potential problem is the speed with which the United Illuminating (UI) Company responds.

"The UI has a priority list of people with oxygen," Palmer said. "It looks good on paper, but they need to restore power to several different areas in order to accommodate everyone."

Seniors tell the Orange Visiting Nurse Association (OVNA) about their particular needs, but the nurses only knows who depends on Oxygen tanks if they are signed up with the OVNA.

Another problem is that if trees are down around town and the OVNA cannot get to their office in the center of town or patient's homes, and then they cannot help anyone.

Past Fire Chief Charlie Sherwood had another concern. He said, "Hazards go up when the lights go out. People light candles when looking for CO tanks, which can be disastrous. Safety and preparedness education is important."

Lt. Anthony Cuozzo said these residents should be informed of their options and make sure they take preparatory measures.

Town Health Dept. Director Joseph Zelson said someone with four hours of oxygen remaining in his or her tank should be on a higher priority list.

Although the Committee voiced its concern for this group of residents, the question did arise — Is it the town's responsibility to worry about them?  Individual families can provide a generator for the person to user during an event.

Asst. Emergency Management Director Tino Russo said residents on oxygen should make sure they have enough on hand before an emergency occurs.

The discussion will continue at the next Commission meeting.