How to Prepare Your Portable Generator and Light Tower in Case of Emergencies

When an emergency strikes, the ability to respond depends on preparedness. The time to ensure equipment is mission-ready is now. Craig Wilkens from Bobcat Company offers practical insights for making sure your portable generators and light towers are ready for any disaster or crisis.

Q: Can you share examples of natural disasters where portable generators or portable light towers were critical to a successful response?

A: The ability to rapidly deploy self-contained power and light sources ensures safety, continuity of operations and the successful delivery of critical services. During severe summer weather events, generators can power command centers, communication systems and community shelters. Light towers illuminate staging areas and aid search and rescue operations that continue after sundown. For wildfire response, where power grids are often shut down proactively, generators provide reliable power to man camps and mobile command posts, while light towers are used to illuminate evacuation routes and create well-lit areas for emergency personnel. Following a winter storm or ice event, generators power critical infrastructure like municipal water pumps and warming shelters and light towers illuminate work areas for utility crews.

Q: How can response teams or businesses work with their local Bobcat dealer to determine the right equipment for their specific needs?

A: Dealers can help conduct a needs assessment based on operational requirements, anticipated power loads and potential emergency or disaster scenarios. They can recommend the appropriate generator or light tower models, accessories, and even offer tips for preventive maintenance plans. This partnership ensures response teams have the right equipment in place before disaster strikes.

Q: What factors should be considered when selecting the appropriate size or capacity of a portable generator or light tower for different types of emergency situations?

A: Proper sizing is a critical factor for an effective and reliable response. When selecting a portable generator, you must first determine the equipment you’ll need to power, the total wattage required and the expected operational runtime during an outage. For light towers, the key considerations are the necessary coverage area and the runtime needed to sustain safe operations.

A common strategy is to deploy multiple smaller units, which provides both flexibility and redundancy while powering separate areas and ensuring a single equipment failure won’t result in a total loss of power. Alternatively, a single, larger unit can be used to meet higher-power demands. Ultimately, a precise needs assessment and consultation with a dealer will ensure you have the most effective solution for your specific operational requirements.

Q: What are best practices for storing portable generators and light towers so that they can be deployed immediately?

A: Proper and accessible storage is critical for a fast response. Store generators and light towers in a dry, sheltered location that is protected from extreme temperatures, moisture and dust to prevent corrosion and electrical damage. Equipment should be stored on a level surface with enough space around it for a pre-deployment inspection and easy hook-up to a vehicle.

When it comes to the equipment itself, ensure the fuel tank is full, and have a safe, dedicated fuel supply ready for extended use. Charge batteries periodically to guarantee they are ready for a quick start. By focusing on these storage practices, you can minimize deployment time and maximize your readiness.

Q: What maintenance or inspection routines should operators perform regularly to ensure their portable equipment functions optimally during an emergency?

A: A proactive maintenance schedule can mean the difference between reliable performance and lost response time during a disaster. For generators, routinely check fluid levels, inspect wiring and connections and run the engine periodically. For light towers, clean lenses and fixtures, inspect seals and test battery health. Using filters and fluids recommended by the manufacturer helps extend engine life and ensures safety. Staying on top of your maintenance schedule ensures your equipment is prepared for any emergency.

Craig Wilkens is manager of key accounts for Bobcat.