December 7, 2016
South Burnett residents reliant upon mains-powered life support equipment have been urged to register or update their contact details with Ergon Energy’s Life Support program.
Chief Operating Officer Roslyn Baker said it was vital people using approved medical equipment were registered with the program during the storm and cyclone season.
“Ergon currently has 3300 registered life support customers. People with confirmed medical conditions using equipment such as home dialysis, oxygen machines and respirators qualify for the program regardless of their electricity retailer,” Ms Baker said.
“The program assists them with quick and easy access to information about power supply interruptions which could impact their life support equipment. This helps with their decision-making to implement their own emergency plan and make alternative arrangements or wait until power is restored.”
Ergon’s Life Support program is especially important for people connected to the NBN.
“Telephone and internet services connected to the NBN won’t work without power unless there is a back-up battery, making it more challenging for people dependent upon life support equipment to communicate,” Ms Baker said.
“Ergon recognises it has a moral and operational obligation to safeguard the needs of its life support customers where it can, even though there are no requirements for people to register for the program.”
Ms Baker said factors beyond Ergon’s control meant it could not guarantee power supply.
“We do everything possible to provide a reliable electricity supply, but storms, strong winds, lightning, wildlife strikes, motor vehicle accidents, bushfires and even vandalism can disrupt power,” she said.
“There are still genuinely ill people in our communities who are not registered and I urge them to contact Ergon for more information or visit our website. And those who are registered, should consider updating their contact details.”
For more information, customers can call Ergon Energy for a brochure on 13-10-46 or visit the Ergon website
