For Immediate Release
2003-08-18
For further information contact:
Emergency Information, 384-1954
CITY UPDATES EMERGENCY SITUATION (Aug 18, 3:30 p.m.)
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BLACKOUT HELP
EMERGENCY TIPS
emergency power-out tips from your health unit, city police, and fire & rescue services.
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Update from the Municipal Control Group:
The City and the Province remain in a State of Emergency. As of 3:00 p.m. this afternoon there have been no rolling blackouts in the area - a direct
result of good conservations measures.
The municipality is requesting all commercial, industrial and residential power customers to assist with conservation efforts and continue to
operate at 50 per cent of their normal power usage. The Municipal Control Group is taking the following measures to comply with the conservation
request.
Electric
There are still concerns with the availability and stability of the power generation system in Ontario. Rolling blackouts may still occur for at
least the next 24 hours. Continued conservation efforts will help meet the estimated power demand and reduce the risk of rotating power outages.
Utilities Kingston reports that the community is doing their part to conserve energy and has effectively reduced energy consumption by approximately
25 per cent.
Mayor Turner would like to acknowledge and thank all businesses and residents that have taken measures to conserve power and water.
Water
The watering ban remains in place. Residents can hand water flower beds and vegetable gardens. However, lawn watering and washing your car are not
permitted. Residents are asked to conserve where possible. Any hand watering should be done between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Water conservation will
help reduce energy use at the water plants and will ensure that water reserves are available.
City by-law enforcements officials will continue to lay charges throughout the watering ban.
Municipal/Community Services
Municipal administrative offices and facilities are open for business. However, some services may operate at a reduce level of service to help
protect the power grid by conserving energy.
The municipality implemented conservation efforts - reduced air conditioning, office lighting, signage lighting and turning off unessential
computers, printers and photocopy equipment, not washing vehicles, to support the Province's request for a 50 per cent reduction of power usage,
Cultural Services (formerly Park and Recreation) have shut off all outdoor sprinkler systems and where needed, will transport water from the lake to
water key parks to avoid extensive damage. The fountain at Confederation Park has been turned off.
The Leo LaFleur Pool at the Memorial Centre, 303 York Street, will operate as usual (power permitting).
Residents may continue to contact the Citizen Inquiry Centre at 384-1954 for the latest information on the emergency situation. The Centre will be
open until 5:00 p.m. tonight and will resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Police
Normal activity over the last 24 hours. However, drivers are reminded that traffic signals will not function in areas of the City affected by the
rolling blackouts. Drive slowly, pay attention and drive with caution. Traffic signals that are not working are to be treated like a stop sign.
Drivers must stop and give the right-of-way to the driver on the right.
Fire and Rescue
Normal activity. During the state of emergency all open air burning is prohibited with the exception of small cooking fires on an enclosed grill.
Use caution when using open flames. Candles must be constantly attended, placed on a non-combustible surface well away from children, pets and
drapes. The same precaution applies to lanterns, flood lights and cooking devices. With the expected blackouts, elevators should be avoided until
the power has been stabilized.
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