FPUA Sends Seven Crew Members to Assist Hurricane Recovery in Florida Panhandle

Fort Pierce Utilities Authority has deployed seven electric crew members and five trucks to DeFuniak Springs to assist with power restoration following Hurricane Isaias.

The crew is supporting Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative Inc. (CHELCO), joining other Florida public power utilities providing mutual aid. According to the American Public Power Association, approximately 68,900 CHELCO customers, representing about 90% of its system, lost power.

“Mutual aid gives utilities access to additional crews and equipment when a storm causes widespread outages,” said Keith Stephens, FPUA Director of Gas and Electric Systems. “Our crew is there to help CHELCO restore service safely and get customers’ power back on.”

The deployment is part of a coordinated response through the Florida Municipal Electric Association. Mutual aid agreements allow utilities to share trained personnel, vehicles and equipment during emergencies. 

Pictured left to right - Bill Crawford, Tony Gonzalez, John Rochford, Logan Beckett, Rod Johnson, Jason Erwin, and Dade Cappar