Getting Ready: Gulf Power Holds Hurricane Drill

May 2, 2012

Gulf Power held their annual hurricane drill Tuesday, just a month before the official start of hurricane season.

Even though our area of the Gulf Coast might be spared from a storm, the electric utility’s employees know they are likely to go somewhere in the Southeast to help restore power after a major storm.

“We prepare year-round for storm restoration,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power Media Relations, “and, because of our training and the assistance we offer to other regions every year, our crews are among the best in the nation at emergency restoration. We are glad to help others because we know we can count on them to help us if a hurricane hits here.”

The company follows a detailed plan to rebuild the electrical system following a hurricane and works closely with county emergency management personnel. Every Gulf Power employee has a storm assignment and if needed, the company brings in thousands of outside utility workers to help.

The drill included scenarios that tested the company’s comprehensive plan to restore electric service and to handle the logistics of feeding, housing and supplying thousands of workers for more than two weeks.

“After Hurricane Ivan we had more than 5,000 workers who came to Northwest Florida to help us,” Smith said. “That means we have to have thousands of meals prepared, thousands of clean beds and be prepared to provide bathroom facilities, medical treatment, clothes-washing facilities, diesel fuel for the trucks, ice, water — not to mention miles of wire, hundreds of new poles and transformers and other equipment. The logistics are extremely important to ensuring a safe, orderly and swift restoration of power. That’s why drills and planning are so important.”

The utility said planning is also important for Gulf Power’s 431,000 customers. Gulf Power’s storm center website offers comprehensive preparation and safety information, as well as general storm tips and directions on how to report outages.

“Providing assistance to other utilities every year gives us a chance to test our logistics and help others in need,” Smith said. “The work is long and hard, but we are prepared and willing to help if needed. Everyone knows their assignments and our employees really come together to not only restore power, but also restore hope for our
customers and our communities.”

Pictured top: Gulf Power workers help with power restoration near Baltimore last year following Hurricane Irene.  NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News