|
The United States’ Critical Infrastructure
Protection Center has published a brief review of the August 14th
power outage. It highlights the dependencies within various critical
infrastructures.
The following is CIP’s summary of lessons
learned:
9-1-1 systems:
* The extraordinary volume of calls created
tremendous backlogs.
* Calling volume spikes sometimes caused callers to encounter fast
busy signals.
* Many computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) systems stopped working.
* 9-1-1 operators resorted to handwriting notes for distribution
to first responders.
* Some locations had backup systems and some did not.
* Battery backup power usually did not last more than a few hours.
* Responses or dispatches to the callers were occasionally delayed.
Hard-wire and wireless telephone service:
* Generally, hard-wire or landlines continued
to work.
* More sophisticated landline equipment sometimes failed without
electrical power.
* The wireless or cellular network depends on a consistent flow
of electricity.
* Cellular transmitter stations failed when their battery backup
power was exhausted.
* Some cellular service was interrupted by extremely high caller
volume.
Backup power generators:
* Numerous backup generators support vital
security and cooling systems.
* Some generators made the transition to backup power simple and
fast.
* Generators at some locations were either not available or not
functioning.
* Those not tested on "full load" for more than two hours
were prone to fail.
* Those not routinely serviced and maintained are an unreliable
source of power.
* Several operational generators simply ran out of fuel with no
reserve supply.
Water supply:
* Municipal water/sewerage departments cannot
clean water without power.
* Without power, pumps could not spread water through local systems.
* Millions of people lost water shortly after the pumps stopped.
* Backup power was frequently unavailable to keep pumps operating.
* The loss of water and/or pressure necessitated alternative action
by firefighters.
•Date:
28th August 2003 • Region: N.America •Type:
Article •Topic: BC
general
Rate this article or
make a comment - click
here
|
