Safety Stands Out in Hurricane Season 2020 Mutual Aid

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As if the year hasn’t defied enough records, public power pulled off remarkable mutual aid efforts in October. “This hurricane season, we not only assisted public power entities within our own membership, we also assisted at the national level, as well as assisted co-ops and investor-owned utilities,” says Kenny Roberts, ElectriCities Senior Safety and Training Specialist.

In response to Hurricane Delta, several ElectriCities members sent crews to help with storm restoration — in Louisiana. Roberts helped coordinate the ElectriCities response through the APPA Mutual Aid Network. Crews from High Point, Statesville, Rocky Mount, and Wake Forest traveled a day-and-a-half to work hard … and receive rave reviews. Across the board, public power’s dedication to safety stands out.

 

“Without exception, every person I spoke to over here about the men who worked with us from North Carolina gave above and beyond positive feedback. They especially all mentioned how safely these men worked. […] The crews are a credit to their organizations. They rocked it and we are grateful. So are our customers. They are all welcome back in our neck of the woods anytime!” —Mary Laurent, Communications Manager at SLEMCO, Lafayette, La.

 

 

Read more feedback from the Louisiana crews below.

“I’d give [the High Point crews] an 11/10 and would highly recommend them to work with us again.” —Aaron Deville, Substation Foreman at SLEMCO

“Next time we have something, we can call [the Wake Forest crews] first. I would take them back anytime!” —Luke Bourgeois, OH Operations Superintendent at SLEMCO

“[The High Point crew] understands line work as well as anyone I know. They work safely and communicate very well, working efficiently and effectively.” —Aaron Deville, Substation Foreman at SLEMCO

“We were in the swamp and [the Wake Forest crew] didn’t hesitate to get the job done. They worked. Hard.” —Brandon Hebert, Class A Lineman at SLEMCO

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