General

OPPD mutual aid team heads home

Last week, the day after strong, damaging storms moved through the region, OPPD received a request for assistance with power restoration from MidAmerican Energy.

High winds caused extensive damage to trees and power lines across Iowa and portions of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

OPPD sent a mutual aid team consisting of four three-person line crews, a two-member safety team, a supervisor and two transportation mechanics.

“Each and every employee is needed to ensure safe and efficient power restoration,” said Eli Schiessler, OPPD Transmission & Distribution center manager.

MidAmerican Energy made the request  for assistance July 16 through the mutual aid process.

OPPD used the same process this spring to request assistance after severe weather moved through the area June 26. MidAmerican Energy provided seven contractor crews to help in OPPD’s restoration efforts.

“It is extremely gratifying to be able to return the favor,” said Brian Kramer, senior director of Utilities Operations Construction & Maintenance. “That’s what mutual aid is all about.”

Mechanics keep the team going

The team began work July 17, restoring power to MidAmerican customers in western Illinois.

The next day, the team completed its support of MidAmerican Energy and moved on to New Lenox, Ill., to support ComEd.

In New Lenox, which is southwest of Chicago, the team spent much of the day working side by side with tree crews to replace power poles and restore power.

The two transportation mechanics on the team are on hand to support any vehicle issues that may arise.

On this trip, they helped repair a blown out tire and they repaired a hydraulic issue with a backyard machine.

Crews use backyard machines for restoration work in backyards and other tight spaces

“Their work probably goes unnoticed by most,” said Schiessler. “But without their support, our line crews could not successfully restore power for the host utility.”

Work in tight spaces

The team shifted its efforts July 19 to Homewood, Ill., another community that suffered heavy damage to trees and power lines.

OPPD’s backyard machines, also known as mini digger derricks, were put to good use on this trip.

Backyard machines can perform nearly all of the functions of a full-size, truck-mounted digger derrick, including replacing power poles.

But the machines are small – they can fit through a 36-inch gate – and they give OPPD’s crews the ability to work in areas where crews using truck-mounted digger derricks could not.

The team wrapped up its restoration work Saturday and headed home July 20.