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developed. Alerts have been created to give early warning of potential electricity shortfalls and bring utilities, emergency management officials, and the general public to a state of preparedness. The Contingency Plan consists of four separate phases and procedures for each phase. (Florida Reliability Coordinating Council, 2011). The four phases are: • Generating Capacity Advisory — A Generating Capacity Advisory is primarily for information purposes. It starts utility tracking activities, and it initiates inter -utility and inter- agency communication. No action by the public is required. General information may be distributed to consumers to forewarn them of conditions if necessary. • Generating Capacity Alert — A Generating Capacity Alert starts actions to increase reserves. Available emergency supply options will be explored. When reserves fall below the size of the largest generating unit in the state, loss of that size unit to an unexpected mechanical failure could lead to blackouts somewhere since insufficient backup is available. • Generating Capacity Emergency — A Generating Capacity Emergency occurs when blackouts are inevitable somewhere in Florida. Every available means of balancing supply and demand will be exhausted. Rolling blackouts, manually activated by utilities, are a last resort to avoid system overload and possible equipment damage. Frequent status reports are provided to agencies and the media. The Division of Emergency Management will consider using the Emergency Broadcast System to inform citizens of events and to direct them to available shelters if conditions warranted. Recognizing the consequences of a loss of electricity, individual utility emergency plans include provisions for special facilities critical to the safety and welfare of citizens. • System Load Restoration — System Load Restoration is instituted when rolling blackouts have been terminated and power supply is adequate. It is the recovery stage, and efforts are made to provide frequent system status reports. Historic Events. In the U.S., from 2 July to 10 August 1996, the Western States Utility Power Grid reported widespread power outages that affected millions of customers in several western states and adjacent areas of Canada and Mexico. Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 67