LOWELL | The Town Council president, emergency responder representatives and other officials are scrutinizing the town's first use of its recently adopted emergency management plan to find any areas for improvement.

The plan faced its first "real time" test at 6 p.m. Dec. 21 when the electricity went out across town, Council President Phillip Kuiper, D-4th, said.

"We thought it was going to be an all-nighter," he said.

Although power was restored about 9:30 p.m., Kuiper said the town learned some lessons.

"We noticed that we have no cots," he said, adding that the group plans to brainstorm ways to fund the purchase of cots and related items in the event of an overnight emergency.

While some people initially were taken to the fire station, and some gathered at the Cedar Creek Township Community Center, residents later were transported to Lowell High School, the town's official warming center. Kuiper said Lowell police officers and firefighters as well as the school system earned his gratitude.

"Folks were in the cafeteria. They even had a TV," he said, adding, "Sgt. (Scott) Tokach manned the warming center, and he did a fine job."

The town adopted the emergency plan following the extreme rains and flooding in September.