OVERVIEW

Customers expect reliable electric service due to their ever-increasing dependence upon and utilization of electric equipment and electronic devices. Lifestyle conveniences are associated with reliable electric service. Electric service interruptions negatively affect reliability. Seldom is the lineman more visible to the community than during the repair of service interruptions to the electric transmission and distribution system. The service interruptions occur for a variety of reasons. However, emergency restoration situations caused by storms generated the most publicity.

Storms vary in terms of magnitude and severity. Electric system damage may be localized or widespread. Storms may affect several hundred customers or several million customers. Storm damage clean-up and electric system restoration may require only local labor, equipment, and materials for repair or the storm may require both local and mutual assistance emergency manpower response, equipment, and materials. Storms are caused by winds, lightning, ice, or other naturally occurring weather events. There are several recent examples of the devastating damage and destruction created by intense storms throughout the Untied States and Canada. The 2005 hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, that devastated New Orleans, Louisiana and Gulf coastal regions of Alabama and Mississippi, the series of 2004 Florida hurricanes, Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne, and the 1998 ice storm in Quebec and the Northeast United States are just a few examples.

The rescue and recovery of human life remains top priority in electrical emergency restoration situations. Successful electric system restoration depends upon recognizing and assessing the magnitude of the situation, directing resources safely and...