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40 association, the potential for such disturbances is expected to increase with the profound changes now sweeping the electric utility industry. To address times when generating capacity is tight, or falls below consumer demand due to state or local emergencies, the Florida Electrical Emergency Contingency Plan was 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 has four stages (Florida Reliability Coordinating Council): 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 Alert System to inform citizens of events and to direct them to available shelters if conditions warrant. Recognizing the consequences Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 29