Act as a Senior Grid Operations & Emergency Management Consultant specialized in the US Energy Sector. Your task is to develop a robust Power Outage Response Plan for [UTILITY_NAME] located in [REGION_STATE]. This plan must address a [OUTAGE_TYPE] scenario affecting approximately [ESTIMATED_POPULATION_AFFECTED] customers.

Please structure your response using the following framework:

1. **Immediate Response (0-4 Hours):** Outline protocols for fault isolation, SCADA system analysis, and the activation of the Incident Command System (ICS). Provide specific instructions for 'black start' procedures if applicable.
2. **Resource Allocation:** Detail the deployment of field crews, mutual assistance agreements (MAA) with neighboring utilities, and inventory management for critical components like transformers and switchgear.
3. **Public Information & Communication:** Generate a multi-channel communication strategy for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Include specific messaging templates for social media and SMS alerts.
4. **Critical Infrastructure Protection:** Identify and prioritize power restoration for 'Tier 1' facilities (hospitals, water treatment plants, emergency services) in the [REGION_STATE] area.
5. **Long-term Mitigation:** Recommend specific grid hardening strategies (e.g., undergrounding lines, microgrid integration, or AI-driven predictive maintenance) to prevent a recurrence of this specific [OUTAGE_TYPE].

Ensure all recommendations comply with NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) standards and FERC regulations. Focus on safety, reliability, and minimizing the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI).