When the war broke out, the main inquiries were regarding radiation protection, but since the power outages in Vienna and Tyrol, there have been a lot of inquiries regarding blackouts once more. “Over 90 percent is the blackout issue. And that’s when we notice a tenfold increase in inquiries and accesses around such events,” said Josef Farda from the Austrian Civil Defense Association to Radio Vienna.
Vienna’s helpers, who are responsible for civil defense issues in Vienna, also noticed the “increased interest”. They organize lectures on the subject of blackouts and also provide information online and by telephone. “We currently have very, very many calls,” said Wolfgang Kastel from Vienna’s helpers. Callers would then be referred to the lectures. Three public dates are planned until autumn. There are also some for groups or clubs, said Kastel.
Only 16 percent have made provisions for blackouts
“A blackout is a low-probability, potentially high-damage disruption to the entire power grid. This means that not only the last few meters from the power line to the house are affected, but also the large transmission networks, the high-voltage lines,” explained Farda.
A Spectra survey shows that 16 percent of Austrians have made provisions for a blackout. Spontaneously, only two-thirds of those surveyed were able to correctly assign the term “blackout”.
Food supply and water for ten to fourteen days
When it comes to preparedness, the following generally applies: “You should prepare for a blackout as well as other crisis scenarios, that you have a supply of food and water for regarding ten to 14 days at home and that you coordinate with your family,” said Farda. Furthermore, a crank or battery radio helps to stay informed and LED lighting or other light sources. Medicines should also be kept at home for ten to 14 days, says Farda.
The civil protection association has also announced a newly revised brochure on the subject for September. “On the one hand, the brochures have been updated, on the other hand, the focus has also been changed. We now mainly have lists inside,” says Farda. These might easily be processed. The brochures should be “available online at the beginning of September and they can also be ordered free of charge from the civil protection shop”.
Expert: Personal crisis prevention is crucial
According to the crisis prevention expert Herbert Saurugg, how we survive such an emergency depends to a large extent on personal precautions. “Because only when people know that their families are doing well do they go to work and help to restart the systems.”
In the event of a large-scale power failure, it is not enough just to make the energy available once more, which might take as little as a week across Europe. It will then be several days before the internet and telephony work once more, which is absolutely necessary to provide the population with essential goods. The gradual return to normality should therefore not be expected before the second week, according to the President of the Austrian Society for Crisis Prevention. Accordingly, the recommendation makes sense to be self-sufficient for at least 14 days.
