REPORTING OUTAGES
Firelands Electric Cooperative strives to provide a high level of service reliability. However, events beyond the control of the cooperative such as automobile accidents, unforeseen equipment failures, lightning storms, freezing rain, snow or other occurrences of nature make it impossible to guarantee uninterrupted service.

  • To report a power outage, call 1-800-533-8658, or do so from your SmartHub app.
    If you call during a time of widespread outages, an automated system may answer your call. Listen carefully and follow the directions. This system can take many more calls than live operators could in times of heavy phone traffic.
  • Identifying Utility Poles Owned by Firelands Electric Cooperative
    Our cooperative's outage hotline dispatchers will ask you for your service location information. Each pole on Firelands' system is identified with a pole number nailed to the pole. If this number is given to the dispatcher when you call in an outage or issue, the dispatcher can immediately locate the problem area
  • Confirm the Outage — First, check lights and appliances in other rooms. If you still have power in some areas, most likely a fuse has blown or a circuit breaker has been tripped. If all lights are off, check to see if your neighbor’s lights are also off. This will help Firelands' dispatchers to determine the extent of the outage.
  • Play it Safe — Never touch downed power lines or anything contacting power lines. Although you may see lines that are down, they could still be energized. Never attempt to move trees from power lines. Let qualified servicemen from your electric cooperative handle the clearing and repair work.

OUTAGE MAP 

STORM & OUTAGE PREPARATION

KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE POWER

  • Light — Always have alternate sources of light on hand. It could be a flashlight with extra batteries, candles, kerosene or oil lamps. Keep your alternate light source in an established place where it can be found easily in an outage situation.
  • Information — Have a battery-powered radio available. The radio, TV, and websites will bring you weather reports, local news bulletins and other important emergency information. During a widespread outage, Firelands Electric Co-op will post our restoration efforts on our social media pages and website.
  • Emergency Kit Checklist [PDF] — Plan ahead and be ready!
  • What to do when the lights go out [PDF]
  • Steps to Restore Your Electrical Service [PDF]
  • Steps to Restore Power Diagram
  • Storm Preparation Tips [PDF] 
  • Ready.gov Storm Prep
  • Protect Your Appliances — Turn off all large appliances that come on automatically and disconnect sensitive equipment such as VCRs, DVD players, stereos, computers and televisions to avoid damage from lightning or a power surge. If all of these appliances were to come back on at once, they might overload your home’s electric circuits. Leave a single lamp turned on to let you know when your electric service has been restored.

PLAN AHEAD TO MEET MEDICAL NEEDS DURING A POWER OUATGE

FOOD SAFETY DURING AND FOLLOWING A POWER OUTAGE

  • Food — Stock emergency food and related items along with a manual can opener. Keep your refrigerator/freezer doors closed as much as possible to reduce the chance of food spoilage.
  • Water — If your water supply comes from a well with an electric water pump, you need to prepare prior to a storm. Sanitize and fill spare containers with water for drinking and cooking. Also, fill your bathtub with water for other uses.
  • USDA Flier [PDF]
  • USDA Emergency Food Safety Tips
  • Food Safety News

​​All materials and forms can be downloaded and completed with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Project and outage updates are posted on our Facebook page and Twitter feed. Your cooperative also communicates by e-mail and text messages. Click here to learn more.

Click here or call 1-800-533-8658 to report a tree or security light concern.