GIS - PSPS

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

Southern California Edison (SCE) is an electrical utility company that serves communities and businesses across San Bernardino County. In 2019, multiple wildfires occurred throughout the state, and as a precaution, SCE implemented the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. PSPS is an operational practice that preemptively shuts off power in areas with high fire risk to reduce the chances of wildfires during extreme weather conditions. This loss of power has an impact on public water systems and food facilities, potentially causing a health risk to the public. San Bernardino County, Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services (EHS) is dedicated to protecting public health, promoting safety and preventing environmental hazards. As the regulatory agency for all of the small water systems and food facilities in the largest county in the contiguous United States, EHS had to be able to quickly and accurately identify the water systems and food facilities that are impacted by the PSPS. Utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS), EHS developed a simple, effective program that provides staff with the necessary information to quickly identify, contact, and consult with the impacted entities to ensure public health is kept safe. This program is known as GIS – PSPS.