DU Storm Crews Return Home

On Tuesday, February 3, ten employees from the Decatur Utilities Electric Operations workgroup returned home after spending eight days assisting Oxford Utilities in Oxford, Mississippi with power restoration following Winter Storm Fern.

Ray Hardin, General Manager for Decatur Utilities, said DU is part of a Mutual Aid Agreement among municipal electric systems. As such, he said DU was happy to provide assistance to Oxford once it was determined that Fern had spared the middle part of North Alabama.

“We’ve been the recipient of assistance from neighboring systems many times in the past,” Hardin said, “so we were happy to lend a hand when Oxford Utilities called.”

Paul Hughes, a Foreman with DU Electric Operations, led the group of 10. Hughes said each workday started around 5 a.m. and lasted well into the night. After being briefed by an Oxford Utilities liaison, the DU team focused on getting main circuits repaired and then restoring customers who had no damage and were able to receive power.

Apprentice Lineman Marcus Jones said the damage left by the ice storm was devastating.

“It was pretty bad when we got there,” Jones said. “Ice was still on the roads, trees were down everywhere, lines were down. We worked safe – but they were long, hard hours. We did what we could to help the community of Oxford.”

Hughes said the lingering effects of the winter storm made work conditions extremely dangerous. “There are a lot more hazards with this type of storm,” said Hughes. “You are dealing with icy conditions – just being able to move around is difficult – let alone climbing a pole that has ice on it.” But, he stressed, the training and education provided by DU has prepared them to work safely.

Still, the long days can take their toll. “We have a saying in the industry,” he said “Be your brother’s keeper. We all try to watch each other. If someone’s cold and tired and having a rough day on day six, we keep an eye out. We take care of each other.”

Clint Dunlap, Apprentice Lineman, said the Oxford community was extremely appreciative of DU’s presence. “We had a lot of people come up and thank us, give us food and snacks. We really appreciated it. There were a lot of nights we didn’t have to go to the hotel to eat because people gave us so much.” Dunlap said it is understandable that customers get upset after being without power for several days, but the customers from Oxford were nothing but appreciative and supportive. “It was a great experience.”

Triston Moore, Apprentice Lineman, grew up watching his father Derrick Moore, a former DU lineman and general construction supervisor, work storms on many occasions. Now it was his turn to step up and provide assistance.

“It’s good to help people…seeing everybody so happy after we get their power on,” he said. “They were always just thanking us and taking care of us. I enjoyed doing it.”

Hughes said he was proud of the team that went. “I had a great crew,” he said. “I had young guys that had not been on a storm and some seasoned guys that have worked on several storms. It’s good for them to see how other utilities do things. That will make them better in their career.”

And while each utility system has nuances in the way the electric grid is designed and constructed, in the end Hughes said, “it’s all line work.” That’s something each member of the crew has gone through thousands of hours of education and training for.

Steven Williams, Electric Field Superintendent, said it takes three to five years for apprentice linemen to complete their initial training and be certified as a journeyman lineman. “They wind up with as much – if not more – education and training as a four-year degree.”

That’s vital, he said, because line work is so complex and dangerous. “Our goal is to get customers back on as quickly – and safely – as possible. We want every employee to go home to their family at the end of the day.”

Several employees at Oxford Utilities commented on how well-rounded the DU crews were. “We are trained in overhead, underground and transmission,” Hughes said. “That prepares us for these types of situations.”

He said making a difference to a hurting community is one of the great rewards of the job.

Hughes reflected on the past week. “To see a community without a single light on…and knowing these people need help... I would want someone to help me and my family in that situation.”

Thanks to the Mutual Aid Agreement, that help will be forthcoming the next time a tornado or winter storm devastates the Decatur Utilities electric system.

Glenn Boyles, DU Electric Manager, said he was extremely proud of the crew for working safely and helping Oxford Utilities restore service quickly following the storm.  Oxford Utilities has also expressed its deepest appreciation for the help.

Hardin echoed those sentiments, also noting that it’s a team effort.

“When crews leave our system to provide this type of assistance, that means someone has to stay behind and take care of calls here at home,” he said. “That’s part of the calling to serving the public.”

For now, the DU crew is cleaning and re-stocking trucks as well as organizing their gear and getting ready for the next outage call.

Meanwhile, the residents of one of the South’s most beautiful towns will continue to recover and heal. “I told some of the Oxford Utilities employees that this was my first time in Oxford,” Hughes said. “I’d love to go back in the spring, but it’s going to be a different town now. It will never look the same.”

DU Electric Operations crew members providing assistance were:

Paul Hughes

Joe Herring

Len Cox

Tyler Morrison

Jarred Coker

Izall Orr

Clint Dunlap

Marcus Jones

Jeremiah Springman

Triston Moore

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