News Releases

Walton EMC Gears Up to Deflect Ivan's Punch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2004

Contact Greg Brooks, 770/266-2307
Contact Katie Woodall, 770/266-2572

MONROE, Ga. --  With the possibility of another round of power outages, Walton Electric Membership Corporation is again gearing up to get the lights back on.

“We're watching closely to see what happens,” said Ron Marshall, WEMC vice president of engineering and operations.  “We'll either be picking up the pieces here or going somewhere else to help a sister EMC do the same.”

All Walton EMC employees are on standby status. “Everyone pitches in during a major storm,” said CEO Ronnie Lee. “This frees line workers from support tasks. Some help answer phones, some help with outage reports, some serve as “grunts” for line crews and some will be assigned to visiting crews unfamiliar with our territory to help them find where they need to go.”

Besides Walton EMC's regular manpower, power line and tree trimming crews from contractors and other EMCs are on notice they may be needed. Many times, massive tree cleaning work is needed before electric system repairs can begin.

EMC workers nationwide receive identical training. This means they can go in another EMC's service area and work side-by-side with local crews or work as independent crews.

Walton EMC employees are also evaluating materials and supplies. Crews make sure their trucks are fully stocked. Warehouse and purchasing experts take inventory and gather materials used in storm repair. They also contact vendors and suppliers to let them know of possible emergency needs.

“Just as we prepare, so should all our customers,” said Communications Coordinator Greg Brooks. “Especially those with family on life-support equipment or whose livelihood depends on electric power, like poultry farmers.”

Extensive information on preparing for and coping with power outages is available at the Storm Center at www.waltonemc.com.

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