Westar crews assist AEP West Virginia after 6-29-2012 super derecho
Crews return home after restoring power in West Virginia
Crews’ professionalism, expertise appreciated by Appalachian Power and customers alike.
Reaching home safely on Friday, July 13, Westar's line crews and support personnel safely wrapped up their 14-day deployment to restore electricity to Appalachian Power customers in West Virginia after devastating storms left millions without power in the Eastern United States beginning June 29.
The crews concentrated their efforts in two towns: Ripley and Point Pleasant. Both were located in rugged terrain with many hills and dense vegetation. | |
Appalachian Power provided experienced crew leaders, or foremen (also called “bird dogs”) to lead Westar crews safely through the countryside and orient them to resourceful ways to restore power in challenging country and extreme heat.
Jim. H., director, division operations, Wichita Metro, was the team’s manager, while Andy S., field safety coordinator, Fort Scott, handled safety.
Westar communications interviewed two of the team’s participants after they’d had a chance to settle back into their normal work routines this week: Rolland T., electric distribution supervisor (EDS), Emporia, and Aaron H., EDS, Lawrence.
Rolland said the experience was a great one for him. He’s been on out-of-state storm duty many times before, but this was his first time as a supervisor, which was also the case for Aaron.
“I’m glad to be back home, but I really enjoyed the experience,” Rolland said. “I can’t say enough good things about Jim as our leader and manager. He is really good at handling a lot of demands and logistics. He’s been on storm duty so many times, we learned a lot from him. Andy, too, is all over safety and is very good at that. Westar’s foremen were very professional and did an outstanding job.”
As manager, Jim had to handle the men’s lodging, deal with the host utility, arrange all travel, coordinate as much in advance as possible, check on crews’ status and find resources when needed. Rolland and Aaron were there to support him as he supported the crews.
 | “Our role was to get the guys what they needed,” said Aaron. “We would help arrange for meals and just generally support what they needed to get the work done safely and professionally.
Travel was probably the most stressful part, because if you have one little equipment breakdown, it can throw things off. We had a few of the normal things happen – brakes and tires get hot, for example – but nothing major happened. It was a great experience, I learned a lot, and our guys were outstanding. I commend them for representing our company so well.” |
Rolland seconded the compliment. “Our guys were all very professional and did a great job,” he said. “We had awesome leaders, and the crews were experienced at this type of work. We heard lots of compliments from Appalachian and customers.”
The men worked 16-hour days, stayed at motels and usually ate at local restaurants, as there wasn’t a central show-up with meals provided. The crews had to be self-sufficient, and Jim quickly figured out that eating at restaurants was the most efficient option to get to the worksites quickly each day. The show-up was small, Rolland reported, usually comprising about five linemen, two troubleshooters and one supervisor from Appalachian. “Appalachian was good to work with,” he added.
Aaron said that toward the end of the two-week stint, Appalachian’s bird dogs were “fighting” over who would get the Westar crews. “They’d say, ‘We want Westar – don’t send us anyone else!’ That speaks highly of our professionals, who served as the bird dogs’ right-hand men. Appalachian quickly realized our crews were very experienced professionals and that they didn’t need to babysit us, as we were fairly self-sufficient once they showed us how they do things on their system. Working on so many hillsides was a new challenge for us, as far as getting equipment to the poles, but the bird dogs were very resourceful, knew the land well and were quite experienced. They were excellent.”
Rolland said the customers they encountered were a little frustrated and upset at losing power over the Fourth of July holiday, and some were without electricity for 10 days, but as crews made more progress, attitudes improved. “It was very rugged country with no access for our line trucks,” he said. “The guys did everything by hand and a lot of pole climbing. It took time.”
Most customer contact occurred when crews stopped at staging points. “They’d come up to us asking us to fix something for them, and we’d usually say, ‘We’re from Kansas and are working a certain area only,’ so then when they realized we were from that far away, they were pretty appreciative and understanding that we had to leave our families over the holiday to help them,” Rolland said.
When asked how his family reacted to his leaving for West Virginia over the Fourth, Rolland replied, “My wife’s used to me being gone. I missed one of my kids coming home after being away and my folks’ 63rd wedding anniversary, but I just had to say, ‘I’m leaving,’ and the family knows it’s just part of my job. It was a good experience helping the West Virginia customers get their lights back on. That’s why we leave home and family at times like this. Getting the lights back on for people is what drives us.”
He added, “More than my family’s reactions to me being gone, though, It’s really about the linemen and the foremen … the ones out there doing the work. They’re the ones climbing the poles and making even greater sacrifices. They deserve the credit for doing the hard work, and they make the supervisor’s job so much easier.”
Compliments from W. Va. customers on Westar’s Facebook page
Westar Energy employees deployed to West Virginia are nothing but AWESOME!! They are working long hours under terrible circumstances but always in a polite and courteous manner. I live in Mason County, W. Va. and lost many trees, my outside light pole, etc. Our temps have been 100-105 every day until Sunday. Hasn’t even slowed those guys down a bit. They had my power to the house restored in a week. A crew came again yesterday about the light pole, and I told them to take all the time they needed because most of my neighbors were still without power and that was a higher priority. They came at the end of the day today and, realizing my neighbors were still without power, they reinstated the service and then stayed to put up my outside light. Kudos and many thanks!
- M. Rader
Thank you SO MUCH! I'm in Wichita, but born and raised in W. Va., and my parents are in Roane County, near Ripley, and we are all ever so grateful to you. Work safe and Godspeed.
- T. McCormick
I am a resident of Jackson County, W. Va., and I've been without power at home since Friday's storms. I am fortunate to have gotten a room here in Ripley, W. Va., until power is restored. I met a few workers last night who are staying here at the same hotel. I personally thanked them for coming all this way to help. After a long drive and a long hot day, they were all friendly and even offered me and my kids water. Very awesome to know great people still exist!! Thank you!!
-J. Malone
Thanks so much for the guys from Westar who have traveled all the way to West Virginia to help restore our power! It was really a blessing to have these guys in our backyard today! God bless you all, and Happy 4th of July!
- C. Mullins
Daily updates during the restoration
Westar Energy crews are assisting AEP West Virginia after devastating storms left millions without power in the Eastern United States. The derecho produced hurricane like winds but without the advanced warning that accompanies hurricanes.
The following are updates received from Westar supervisors that are overseeing employees restoring power in the West Virginia area. Updates and the latest outage numbers are available on AEP West Virginia's website.
Photos of Westar crews restoring power are on Westar's Facebook Page. Additional photos can be found on Appalachian Power's Facebook Page.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Crews began traveling home this morning. The Independence crews will arrive in Rolla, MO and all other crews will drive to Columbia, MO to bed down for the night. Crews were reminded to return home safely.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Mostly odds and ends and cleanup work. Great weather again, started out warm, then clouds moved in. Everything going smooth.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Same type of distribution work today. Mostly single phase and a few poles. Great weather again, 85 degrees, partly cloudy. One of the bucket trucks received a crack in the windshield from a tree limb. Safety department will prepare a report. We still expect to be released on Thursday. Appalachian Power shows 0 customers in Virginia and 11,700 customers in West Virginia remain without power.
(Contractor update) Twenty Asplundh crews were released yesterday and an additional ten released this morning.
Crews work to restore power to West Virginia
customers.
Monday, July 9, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Same type of distribution work today. Mostly single phase and a few poles. Great weather, 85 degrees, mostly cloudy, light breeze. Morale is good and safety is doing great. We received a release date and will be headed home on Thursday morning. As of 7:30 PM., Appalachian Power shows about 50,000 customers in Virginia and West Virginia remain without power.
(Contractor update) JF Electric crews have returned to Westar property.
Example of some of the roads crews had to travel.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Most of today's work was 3 phase and 12kv single. We have experienced some 19kv and 34kv distribution projects.
Fleet is in good shape except for a flotation tire for one of the trucks. Running on a spare for now but will need different tread for the trip home. Hopefully this issue will be resolved on Monday. Weather continues to be hot and humid.
Nothing but positive feedback on our work and safety ethics. More utilities and contractors showing up everyday. Nothing definite on a release date thus far. Appalachian Power showing about 80,000 customers in Virginia and West Virginia still without power.
(Separate report) 11 Asplundh contract tree trimming crews have been released and are returning home to Wichita and El Dorado divisions. Thirty Asplundh crews based on Westar property remain in Ohio, helping there.
Crews work to restore power to West Virginia
customers.
Friday, July 6, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Work continues on 3 phase lines and single phase projects. Still plenty of work left. Weather continues to be hot and humid with no relief in sight.
The guys are doing a superb job, nothing but positive feedback. No safety related issues with us or the host utility. Word is that we may be released by Sunday, we believe it may be later than that.
Crews work to restore power to West Virginia
customers.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Crews continue restoration of mostly 3 phase lines at this time. We purchased additional bug spray due to heavy brush. Transition of crews to another location went well, they are near Ripley.
A brake line was replaced on truck and a power steering pump went out on another. The mechanics are doing a great job at keeping crews going.
We had a nice rain shower midday that lasted a couple hours. Appalachian Power shows well over 100,000 customers without power as of July 5th at 8:45 PM.
Crews work to restore power to West Virginia
customers.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Crews continue restoration of mostly 3 phase lines at this time. Room reservations were extended to Saturday at our hotel. Weather continues to be hot and humid. No safety or fleet concerns. Morale is good.
Appalachian Power requested we move three crews and support to Point Pleasant for lodging and to shorten drive time. Crews from Topeka, Atchison and Independence will make the transition as requested.
A Westar employee closes a switch.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Crews continue work in the areas around and in Ripley and Point Pleasant. We were lucky to see partly cloudy skies which was a relief from the hot and humid weather. No safety issues. One minor fleet issue with a tire blowout. Repaired and kept moving.
Work continues at a good pace, we restored well over 2,000 customers yesterday. Customers in the area are appreciative of our efforts. Appalachian Power is currently showing 117,000 customers without power. AEP (all divisions/companies) estimates restoration to all customers by sometime this weekend.
Crews work to restore power to West Virginia
customers.
Monday, July 2, 2012
(Recap of daily activities)
Crews are working around the areas of Ripley and Point Pleasant. Damage is widespread and extremely heavy in a few concentrated areas. Normal heavy storm restoration work consisting of replacing poles and wires.
The weather is hot and humid. The terrain is large foothills, damage is mainly in the bottoms of the valleys, or "hollers" as they are locally called. There is no breeze at the bottoms of these valleys, making conditions even hotter. There are three ice plants in the area that serve the greater Charleston area, two are without power. This is one of the priorities due to the hot weather conditions and folks relying on the ice to stay cool.
No equipment issues. Morale is good and the guys ended the day dirty and tired.
A crew from Topeka works to restore power
in Point Pleasant.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Crews arrived in Huntington, West Virginia late Sunday evening. Huntington is about 50 miles west of Charleston. Crews received a safety orientation. A couple issues with the digger derricks had to be addressed.
Crews receive safety orientation
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Crews arrived in St. Louis around midnight with only one minor vehicle issue. Crews will depart at 7:00 AM and head for Charleston, West Virginia. Crews will coordinate with AEP on a final arrival location.
AEP's outage numbers peaked at about 1.4 million at the height of the storm. As of Saturday afternoon they are showing approximately 1 million customers without power.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
A mutual assistance call was held this morning and AEP has requested assistance with more than a million customers without power due to storms that passed through their service territory last night. Crews will depart from their various locations and arrive in St. Louis late tonight.
Contract crews on Westar property have been released and 39 (it was originally reported as 41) Westar employees will be assisting with restoration efforts. Employees from Westar's Topeka, Marysville, Hutchinson, Atchison, Pittsburg, Independence, Newton, Arkansas City and Wichita offices will assist with the restoration. Initial estimates to have all customers back on to AEP West Virginia are in the 5 - 7 day range. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the triple digits the next couple of days.
Learn more about Utility Mutual Assistance.