News: Loudoun County Offers Preparedness Tips for Users of Medical Equipment

(Oct. 29, 2012) - With the threat of power outages in the region due to Hurricane Sandy, Loudoun County officials remind users of special medical equipment to take precautions:

• Know how to connect and start a back-up power supply for essential medical equipment. 
• If you use an electric wheelchair or scooter, have a manual wheelchair for backup. 
• If you subscribe to a medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized in an emergency, be sure to have a charged cell phone or pager in case landlines are disrupted. 
• If you use eyeglass, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair batteries or oxygen, be sure you always have extra in your disaster supply kit. 
• Consider relocating to a facility with electricity in case of extended outages. 

Phone numbers you need to know:

• 2-1-1 Virginia is serving as the public inquiry number for Virginia residents. 
• 5-1-1 is to be used for the latest in road conditions. 
• Call #77 on a cell phone to report a traffic crash or traffic emergency 
• Only call 9-1-1 in a true emergency. For non-emergency situations in Loudoun County, call 703-777-1021. 

Also, make sure to report power outages. For Dominion Virginia Power, call 1-866-366-4357. Dominion also provides updates through Facebook and Twitter. To report NOVEC power outages, call 1-888-335-0500. Make sure NOVEC has your current phone number. The correct number will expedite outage reporting and power restoration. If you use a cell phone, call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 to associate your number with your account. Please be aware that bucket trucks are unable to operate in high winds, and this might delay crews working to fix any outages. For Washington Gas, call 1-800-543-8911. For Columbia Gas, call 1-800-543-8911.