Powerful wind gusts created threatening wildfire conditions in Boulder, Colorado, prompting the state’s largest utility to cut power to 52,000 homes and businesses, including Frasier, an assisted living and skilled nursing facility. Xcel Energy, initiated the power shut-off as a wildfire prevention measure, the first time such a step was taken in Colorado.
The preemptive power cut left Frasier staff and residents scrambling, with only 75 minutes to prepare for the outage. Generators were utilized to keep vital equipment running, but heating systems and some lights remained off as the overnight temperature plummeted. Power was eventually restored after 28 hours, leaving staff to tend to the needs of nursing home and assisted living residents, many with dementia, during the outage.
The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by nursing homes during public safety power shut-offs. Better communication between utilities and nursing homes, as well as including these facilities in regional disaster preparedness plans, are essential to ensuring the safety of residents, experts noted.
As the practice of preemptive power cuts becomes more common, nursing homes across the West are working to enhance their preparedness. Federal audits have shown that a significant number of facilities lack proper emergency supplies and power sources, raising concerns about their ability to respond effectively to power outages.
In light of these challenges, nursing homes are looking to improve their emergency preparedness plans and infrastructure. Frasier, for example, is considering investing in equipment like headlamps for caregivers and encouraging residents to purchase backup power for their devices.
Despite the difficulties faced during the recent power shut-off, Frasier staff remain hopeful for better outcomes in future emergencies. With climate change leading to more extreme weather events, the facility is preparing for the inevitability of additional public safety power shut-offs in the future.
