FMEA Coordinates Mutual Aid Crews to Help Restore Power Following Winter Storm

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) has assembled public power crews from across the state to aid with power restoration efforts in anticipation of the winter storm projected to produce widespread impacts across several regions throughout the holiday weekend.

More than 50 public power personnel from three Florida Public Power utilities are deploying today and tomorrow to pre-stage in Virginia and North Carolina in advance of the severe weather. JEA is sending four crews and equipment to Danville, Virginia, to assist fellow public power utility Danville Utilities. The City of Tallahassee is deploying two public power crews and equipment to Dobson, North Carolina, to provide aid to Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Cooperative. Orlando Utilities Commission will also provide mutual aid in North Carolina where they are sending two crews and equipment to assist the City of High Point Electric Utilities Department. All Florida Public Power crews will arrive at their respective pre-staging sites by tomorrow evening.

Additional Florida Public Power utilities are standing by should other utilities need assistance.

“While Florida’s public power lineworkers are very familiar with working in conditions that result from hurricanes and tropical storms, they are also prepared to face the challenges that snow and ice storms present,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “No matter the weather nor the conditions, Florida’s Public Power utilities are always ready and willing to assist other communities in need.”

Mutual aid agreements enable electric utilities to call on each other for skilled emergency workers and supplies. Mutual aid can extend beyond fellow public power utilities to both rural electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities.

Public power utilities across the country benefit from the strong network of mutual assistance partners through the American Public Power Association. These connections have created a reliable system where member utilities both request and offer assistance when in need. FMEA is proud to serve as the mutual aid coordinator for Florida’s 33 public power utilities.

For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit www.flpublicpower.com.

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The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 33 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.