While the title of the article and subject matter in the intro is about the private sector and how their business models can make a difference in preparing for and responding to disasters, I see the thrust of the content begin about how Siemens can help government, utilities and businesses add electrical resilience to their portfolio of readiness.
Just last week I was atITron near Spokane, Washington, which is a technology company providing "smart meters" to a variety of, water, gas, electric systems. While they market a more resourceful product, I see their offerings as also making homes and communities more resilient. Detecting and preventing natural gas explosions that we've seen more of (likely due to more security camera footage) is just one element. If a third of the world's water is wasted due to leaky pipes (16 percent) here in the U.S., detecting and saving that water is a resilient service they provide.
Yes, private companies can do more via how they design their systems and service their daily operations. More micro grids for electrical power is one starting point!
Claire Rubin shared the Siemens link above. Did you know Siemens is headquartered in Erlangen, Germany? A city I lived in for three years. You could say it is a "company town."
Note: A bonus item for folks here in the nine county Puget Sound Energy Service area. Reference the segment on natural gas above, the class below is an example of training that might be available in your community or region from your utility.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Time 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Subject PSE Training: Responding to Natural Gas and Power Line Emergencies
Location PSE Operating Base - Georgetown (6500 Ursula Place S, Seattle, WA 98108)
PSE Training: Responding to Natural Gas and Power Line Emergencies
• Protecting yourself, your personnel and the public
• Live demonstrations of the characteristics of natural gas and high-voltage electricity
• Managing a variety of emergency situations involving PSE facilities
• Coordinating emergency response with PSE
Audience:
Firefighters, police, 911 operators, and emergency management personnel
Contact:
Registration required at least five days before the session.
Dennis Smedsrud
Safety and Health Work Practices Consultant
Puget Sound Energy
dennis.smedsrud@pse.com | 206-716-2754
