ComEd Works to Meet Demand
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Updated: 9:54 PM Jul 18, 2011
ComEd Works to Meet Demand
The intense heat means more home owners are cranking up the air conditioning. ComEd says crews are working over-time to keep up with the high demand.
Posted: 4:55 PM Jul 18, 2011
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ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- The intense heat means more home owners are cranking up the air conditioning. ComEd says crews are working over-time to keep up with the high demand.

ComEd Spokesman Paul Callighan says the electric company is operating in emergency mode, which means employees are working 16 hour shifts with about 8 hours rest in between. Staffing levels have increased since last week's major wind storm. Callighan says he has full confidence in the organization's equipment during this heat wave.

Callighan said, "We believe we the infrastructure in place to meet the demands of customers at this time. The normal things that you will have happen is that you are using all of your infrastructure at its full capacity so it does reduce our flexibility when it comes to using alternate power lines and things."

ComEd says it's best to keep the thermostat at a constant level and recommends that temperature to stay around 78 degrees. He also says we can save up 77 percent of heat gain by keeping the shades drawn.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Doug Location: Northern IL on Jul 19, 2011 at 05:57 AM

By the end of the week ComEd will have a few brown outs and some black outs, so they can justify rate increases and the smart grid and new meters.
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FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
Families should be prepared for all hazards that could affect their area. NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge every family to develop a family disaster plan. Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere at work, at school, or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe? Disaster may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services water, gas, electricity, or telephones were cut off?

Follow these basic steps to develop a family disaster plan...

  • Gather information about hazards.
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  • Meet with your family to create a plan.
    Discuss the information you have gathered. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

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    (1) Post emergency telephone numbers by phones;(2) Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; (3) Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them; (4) Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home; (5) Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number; (6) Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

  • A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT SHOULD INCLUDE: A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil one change of clothing and footwear per person one blanket or sleeping bag per person a first aid kit, including prescription medicines emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries an extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

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