The state of Vorarlberg is sending a blackout brochure to all households.
©VOL.AT; State of Vorarlberg; Canvas
All Vorarlberg households are to receive a blackout brochure by post this week, which provides information on what to do in the event of a nationwide power failure and where to turn.
“Emergency call centers” are set up in all communities. The population then receives all important information via the media, such as radio.
The state of Vorarlberg will present all important information from 11.15 a.m. in the press foyer:
mobility
Roads and traffic routes: Roads and traffic routes can continue to be used in the event of a blackout. Traffic lights and electrically operated signaling systems as well as public lighting are out. In the event of a blackout, disruptions can also occur during heavy rainfall due to a failure of the pumps in the underpasses or impairment of the winter service.
Large tunnel systems: In large tunnel systems with a length of 500m or more, important electrical systems for traffic control, lighting and ventilation remain in operation for 80 minutes, supported by the emergency power supply. The Pfänder, City, Passür, Amberg, Achrain and Arlberg tunnels will be emptied and closed.
Public transport: The operation of public passenger transport using buses can be maintained even if the mains power supply fails and the fuel supply is therefore missing for the current day. In the Kleinwalsertal, public bus services can be maintained for at least 3 days despite a blackout, depending on the timetable. ÖBB: In the event of a regional power failure, the aim is to ensure that train services in Vorarlberg can continue to operate to a limited extent. In the event of a blackout of supra-regional dimensions (affecting the whole of Austria and neighboring countries), it is planned for safety reasons to continue running all trains to the next station.
grocery store
SPAR and Sutterlüty will be closed on the day of the blackout, but reopened the following day. An emergency distribution with a limited range of groceries will be carried out. According to current information from the Chamber of Commerce at the time this brochure went to press, other large food chains and discounters are also considering adopting this approach.
Banks/cash issue
The local banks ensure the supply of cash primarily via the numerous ATMs. In the event of long-term power failures (blackouts) and the associated outages of the ATM data lines, the supply of cash cannot be guaranteed.
pharmacies
The Vorarlberg pharmacies offer emergency distribution of medicines and products in stock at almost all locations. With the medicines stored in Vorarlberg, the population can be supplied for about a week without any problems. If a drug is no longer in stock, the Vorarlberg pharmaceutical wholesaler will continue to supply it.
Medical care
The Medical Association maintains an emergency service in selected care centers in cooperation with the municipalities.
hospitals
All Vorarlberg hospitals have an emergency power supply. Operations can be maintained with restrictions.
drinking water supply
The situation in the communities varies. Information about this will be made available on your municipality’s website. Waste water disposal Here the situation in the communities varies. Information about this will be made available on your municipality’s website.
gas supply
If the power supply fails, electrically controlled gas consumers, such as heaters and gas-powered systems, are no longer functional. The only exceptions to this are systems in buildings with an emergency power supply, e.g. B. in hospitals. The supply and operation of the local supply networks is secured for a longer period of time even during a blackout by mechanical pressure control. This allows z. B. Gas stoves can usually continue to be operated.
district heating
With a few exceptions, the Vorarlberg heating plants cannot function without mains electricity. Information about this will be made available on your municipality’s website. In order to use district heating in buildings, the power supply for the pumps installed in the building must also be guaranteed.
gas stations
In the event of a blackout, public filling stations cannot continue to operate and the fuel supply for the population is therefore no longer guaranteed. An emergency output will be set up for emergency and rescue vehicles as well as for pre-authorized emergency services.
radio
The ORF Vorarlberg has a legal obligation to provide information when disasters occur and events that threaten the population. Therefore, the operation of ORF Radio Vorarlberg is the only public broadcaster to be guaranteed by an emergency power supply in the event of a blackout. This means that 93.7% of the populated area in Vorarlberg and thus the state’s population can be supplied with important information. To receive ORF Radio Vorarlberg, a battery-powered radio (also car radio) or a crank radio is required.
In addition, the state of Vorarlberg also works with VOL.AT – Vorarlberg Online and Russmedia in the event of a blackout.
Telephone landline, Internet and mobile telephony
As a rule, large parts of landline and mobile telephony and the Internet fail after a short time (approx. 30 minutes) in the event of a blackout.
emergency call
The rescue and fire brigade control center Vorarlberg (RFL) and the police emergency call center remain in operation in the event of a blackout. In the event of a breakdown in the telephone network and mobile telephony, emergency calls can be made to the emergency call centers in your municipality. Please find out about the location of the nearest emergency call center on your municipality’s website.
