When Backup Power Fails: Lessons from Recent Canadian Hospital Crises
Posted by Aurora Generators | May 2025
In modern healthcare, uninterrupted power is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Yet, two major Canadian hospitals recently faced catastrophic power failures that highlight a national vulnerability: aging infrastructure and unreliable backup power systems.
In this post, we review the recent crises at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital (HMR) in Montreal—incidents that reveal what happens when emergency power systems don’t perform, and what steps organizations can take to avoid the same fate.
Ottawa Hospital: Electrical Fire Disables Emergency Power
On April 19, 2025, The Ottawa Hospital suffered a devastating electrical fire that disrupted the main power supply and disabled the emergency power system. Firefighting efforts using water further damaged critical systems. For over 48 hours, essential services were down, and 96 patients were relocated, including infants in the NICU.
“Although the emergency power system immediately kicked in, it too was soon compromised by both the fire and the enormous amount of water firefighters used to douse it.”
Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital: Generator Failure During Storm
Just days later, HMR experienced a power outage during a thunderstorm, exposing the hospital’s aging infrastructure. Backup generators failed, cutting power to the ICU, surgery, and coronary care units for over an hour. Staff relied on headlamps and battery-powered equipment to keep patients safe.
“All the emergency machines like respirators and infusion pumps went on battery power… we had one hour from that moment to find a solution.”
Why Backup Generators Must Be Reliable—and Modern
At Aurora Generators, we understand the dangers of underinvesting in emergency power. The recent hospital incidents highlight why it’s critical to:
- Ensure redundancy: Systems must be tested regularly and have backup options.
- Account for environmental risks: Fires, floods, and storms can destroy power infrastructure.
- Perform regular maintenance: Idle generators can fail when most needed.
- Plan for public safety: Critical facilities must be prepared for unexpected outages.
A Solution Built for Emergencies
Aurora Generators specializes in diesel-powered backup systems built for mission-critical reliability. Our products are:
- Pre-configured for auto-start
- Designed for continuous and standby power
- Built with industrial-grade components
- Tested under real-world loads
Whether protecting healthcare infrastructure, telecom networks, or your home, reliable power must be part of your contingency planning.
Final Thought
The Ottawa and HMR hospital events remind us that when power fails, everything fails. Investing in modern, well-maintained backup power systems is not optional—it’s essential.
At Aurora Generators, we don’t just build generators—we build trust. And in a blackout, trust is everything.
Learn more at AuroraGenerators.com