INDUSTRY and tornadoes) that cause devastation is more than many local electric co-ops can quickly repair on their own. When multiple areas in a co-op’s service territory are without electricity and there are only four or five crews available to restore the system, electric co-ops depend on other co-ops in their state and national network for assistance. The residents of Grand County saw crews from Highline Electric, Gunnison County Electric Association in Gunnison, Southeast Colorado Power Association, United Power and White River Electric Association in Meeker arrive October 26. They came from all corners of the state as part of a plan called a “mutual aid agreement.” And San Miguel Power Association in Nucla arrived a couple days later, once it was determined that more help was needed. “It is a natural extension of who we are,” says Kent Singer, executive director of CREA. “Helping each other is something we do naturally as part of our co-op family and our culture.” An agreement is one thing, but success means carrying it out Lineworkers prepare to get the poles and lines back up in a neighborhood effectively. To that end, electric co-ops rely on planning and shared affected by the East Troublesome Fire. experiences, says Dale Kishbaugh, CREA director of safety and loss control. Colorado’s electric co-ops spend time planning for disasters, talking through the what-ifs of problems and sharing experiences with each other as they meet regularly to keep procedures updated. The response to the East Troublesome Fire came together relatively quickly after that fire took a turn and developed a speed no one expected. Once it burned through the system and MPE knew where it lost its lines, the response was quick but planned, with the idea that when mutual aid crews arrived the work could begin and materials would be available. With other natural disasters, even with other wildfires, that planning can often start before the disaster actually strikes. For example, weather Crews from neighboring electric co-ops assist in getting powerlines restored after a summer storm on the eastern plains. predictions can give a co-op notice of a possible blizzard or ice storm. Then materials can be readied and preliminary assistance can be arranged. the fire burned through an area and it was deemed safe to enter that Another example is the Cameron Peak Fire, the largest fire in area, PVREA crews and contractors got right to work replacing burned Colorado history, which ignited in August and was still only 92% poles and restringing power lines. They were prepared and, this time, contained at magazine deadline. While dangerous and, at times, PVREA did not have to rely on the mutual aid agreement. But that unpredictable, it burned at a slower pace than the East Troublesome agreement was there and could be used if needed. Fire. This gave Poudre Valley REA crews opportunities to prepare for No electric co-op has to go it alone. Each independent, local co-op where the fire might burn through its system. is part of the electric co-op family, part of a statewide and nationwide Before the fire arrived, PVREA lineworkers wrapped poles in network of electric co-ops, all ready to lend a hand to get the lights high-risk areas with fire protection materials. They met regularly with back on safely wherever they go out. incident command to determine where the electric system might be Mona Neeley is the publisher and editor of Colorado Country Life magazine. affected and where the co-op might need to de-energize lines. Once COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE DECEMBER 2020
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