June 23, 2004—The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), KeySpan and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) concluded the first Island-wide “Im Ready” emergency drill today. The drill requested the voluntary participation of residential and commercial customers across LIPAs service area. The Counties of Suffolk and Nassau also participated in the drill by exercising their respective emergency response plan.
The drill simulated a blackout caused by a fierce storm in upstate New York that knocked out major transmission lines to Westchester, New York City, and Long Island causing a loss of power to these areas. LIPA and KeySpan then simulate its response to the emergency and structured a response to restore power to Long Island within 20 to 22 hours.
Prior to the drill LIPA coordinated with major customers, government units across the Island and numerous media outlets to encourage as wide-scale a public participation as possible.
For more information, contact KeySpan.
