As a first responder, you know how important it is to be able to charge radios, smartphones and tools during a power outage or when working at a prolonged incident at a remote location. You also know it is equally important and convenient for your family to keep their devices charged, food stored safely and living spaces comfortable during a power outage while you are away from home. Portable power stations are also useful when camping, boating or traveling to keep food and beverages cold, perishable food frozen or inflate a sleeping mattress to ensure a great night’s sleep.
Portable power station features
When purchasing a portable power station start by knowing your intended use, how often you’ll be able to recharge the big battery and what power source you’ll use for recharging. Some of the features of a portable power station you’ll need to consider include:
- Number and type of AC Outlets
- USB ports
- Ports for cars and RVs
- Smartphone control with a connected app
- Wall or solar charging
Top benefits of portable power stations for first responders
A portable power station provides reliable electricity for various situations, whether you’re at home during a power outage, camping or needing a backup power source at the station or on emergency scenes. Here are the three top reasons first responders should own a portable power station:
1. Reliable emergency power: Portable power stations provide a dependable source of electricity during emergencies, ensuring critical communication devices, medical equipment and other essential tools remain operational when other power sources are unavailable or disrupted.
2. Versatility: Portable power stations are compact and easy to transport, making them ideal for on-scene incident responses and other remote locations without access to the electrical grid. They can power a wide range of devices, including radios, laptops, lights and even small appliances.
3. Quiet operation: Unlike traditional gas generators, portable power stations operate silently and without emissions. This is particularly beneficial for ensuring first responders can communicate effectively without background noise interference.
This article, originally published on May 31, 2024, has been updated.
EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.