We had a very wet day. I couldn't help but think of our northerly neighbors in Oklahoma that were seeing that same precipitation but as ice. My wife's brother and sister live in Tulsa and both have been without power for two days.

 
Lives are in the balance and it is impossible for the power crews in Oklahoma to meet the demand they are suddenly facing. Garland is a dependable friend to communities in times of crisis, whether it is power crews as in this case, or police or fire or other emergency crews, we are regularly welcomed for our capabilities. As is so often the case, helping others can mean helping yourself. The proficiencies that our emergency personnel keep honed pays us huge dividends when we have emergencies at home.

A GP&L News Release:

 

GP&L volunteers load tools and other equipment for their trip to Skiatook, Oklahoma, where the entire town of 6000 is without power.

Garland Power & Light Sends a Crew
to Assist in Oklahoma Power Restoration

Garland, Texas — December 11, 2007 — Garland Power & Light (GP&L) has sent a crew of volunteer personnel to assist public power utilities in restoring power in northeastern Oklahoma where winter ice storms have resulted in downed electric lines and loss of power to thousands of homes and businesses.

 
A GP&L crew consisting of five linemen left Garland around noon on Tuesday with two bucket trucks, a line truck for pole setting and, and two pickups. Accompanying the crew is Transmission & Distribution Coordinator Sonie Jackson.

 
"We hope the roads are in good shape as we get into Oklahoma and go north of Tulsa to Skiatook, which is our destination," said Jackson. "Once there, our contact will tell us exactly where they need the crew to work."

 
The assistance to Oklahoma is a team effort of GP&L's entire Transmission & Distribution Division. Not only is this crew heading up north, but other linemen and staff helped to outfit the trucks with all the equipment and supplies they will need. The crews remaining in Garland will be making extra efforts to ensure our customers are well taken care of while the other crew is gone.

 
"We're happy to assist other public power utilities recover from this major storm," said Ray Schwertner, Director of Electric Utilities. "Electric service is crucial, and our crews will do all they can to help restore it quickly."

 

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1 comment

Comments:

Comment from: Les Cook [Visitor]

Yes, Mr. Athas, GP&L crews are second to none in the business of taking care of their Electricity Customers' delivery service. Our
City Council or GP&L Board of Directors are about last to ever other Municipal Operated Utility in Texas when to it comes to the duties of Policy, Regulation & oversight of Administration, in my opinion. Now would be an excellent time to help lead GP&L into better Policy instead of continuation of the backward cash flow movements. That is "taking GP&L cash away from Electric Asset Investments and using it for General Fund Political purposes". Ask yourself: "What have I done to better serve a GP&L Customer" with need Policy change. GP&L linemen have no problem keeping their fine works transparent & open ffor everyone to see.

12/19/07 @ 07:35

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