In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the future of the facility's generator system, evaluating options for enhancing emergency power capabilities. The conversation, led by an administrator, revisited a similar discussion from 2011 regarding the necessity and cost-effectiveness of investing in a new generator versus utilizing rental options.

Tom Burrows and his team conducted an analysis of the facility's power needs over the past 15 years, revealing that the building had only faced significant power outages twice—once in 2011 and again recently. The cost of renting a portable emergency generator for the latest incident was approximately $7,000, with total expenses, including electrician services, estimated around $20,000. In contrast, purchasing a new generator would require an investment of around $600,000.

Given the infrequency of power outages, the team concluded that acquiring a new generator was not financially justifiable. Instead, they proposed a more efficient solution: implementing a quick-connect system for the emergency generator. This system would allow for faster and safer connections without the need for running cables through the building, significantly reducing setup time by one to two hours during emergencies. The estimated cost for this upgrade is between $50,000 and $60,000.

The meeting underscored the importance of balancing safety and cost-efficiency in emergency preparedness, with officials leaning towards practical solutions that address the facility's needs without incurring unnecessary expenses.