Navigational beacons, akin to 'Leuchttürme', in times of power failure - Lighthouses Provide Assistance During Power Outages
In the face of an unresolved challenge, ensuring the care of care-dependent individuals who rely on power-operated devices at home during power outages, Hesse, a German region, is taking proactive steps to bolster its emergency preparedness.
The Oberhessische Versorgungsbetriebe AG (OVAG), responsible for the daily supply of thousands of households and businesses, and the operation of critical infrastructure in four areas - electricity, gas, water, and public transport - plays a pivotal role in this endeavour.
Enter the "Lighthouse" concept, a flagship initiative that demonstrates innovative approaches to critical challenges. In the context of Hesse, these "Lighthouses" serve as pilot or showcase projects, integrating digital tools, smart infrastructure, and community coordination systems to maintain essential services and communication when the power grid fails.
These "Lighthouses" offer emergency power supply, radio communication, emergency call forwarding, and assistance. They are strategically placed across the region, with more than 60 fire stations designated as "Lighthouses" to serve as points of contact for the population in a crisis.
One such "Lighthouse" is a care facility for vulnerable citizens, set up under the name "In the Lighthouse". If the drinking water network collapses, the population can draw up to six liters of drinking water per person per day at these facilities.
In a blackout scenario, warning apps, sirens, and deployment vehicles with roof loudspeakers are also part of the emergency concept. Satellite systems for communication of rescue forces are a central element of the emergency concept, ensuring uninterrupted communication during power outages.
The Hessian Interior Minister, Roman Poseck, has demonstrated a blackout scenario with the fire department in Hochtaunuskreis. He also visited the crisis center and the control center of the OVAG in Bad Nauheim, emphasising the importance of preparedness and resilience.
The danger of a large-scale, long-lasting power outage is a current concern. Triggers for a power outage could be extreme weather events, technical malfunctions, sabotage, or cyberattacks. In the event of a power outage, up to 137,000 liters of diesel would be needed daily in the Hochtaunuskreis for the operation of emergency power generators for critical facilities such as hospitals or nursing homes.
The Summer Tour "Crisis Preparedness and Resilience" continues next week, with visits to an industrial fire brigade in Darmstadt, Frankfurt Airport, the Hessian disaster control central warehouse in Wetzlar, and a focus on combating forest fires, cybercrime, and digital forensics at a university in Wiesbaden and the space agencies in Darmstadt.
As Hesse moves forward with its "Lighthouse" project, it aims to act as a model for other municipalities by demonstrating best practices in resilience, such as backup power supplies, emergency communication networks, and citizen engagement in crisis scenarios.
In a world increasingly reliant on electricity, the "Lighthouse" project underscores the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of potential power outages, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.
- The Commission, in recognition of the need for safeguarding workers, has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as the "Lighthouse" project in Hesse demonstrates the importance of preparedness and resilience in critical situations.
- While Hesse works diligently on its emergency preparedness, such as the "Lighthouse" project, it is essential to consider sustainable living and policy-and-legislation, addressing issues like lifestyle and home-and-garden that can impact the region's resilience and efficiency in the long run.
- As politics shape policy-and-legislation and general news coverage influences public opinion, it is worth noting that the "Lighthouse" project in Hesse, a flagship initiative for resilience, serves as a reminder of the importance of effective leadership and collaborative efforts in addressing contemporary challenges.
