Merry Christmas from Central Rural Electric Cooperative!
CENTRAL HIT BY “ICETOBER 2020” A rare fall ice storm dubbed Icetober hit Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s service area on October 26. Fall ice storms are rare and more damaging, as many trees still have their leaves. This provides more surface area for freezing rain to stick. The result was catastrophic for Central resulting in nearly 200 damaged poles scattered across our service area. Crews worked around the clock for nine straight days to restore power. More than 14,000 meters were off at some point during the storm, and many members were without power for several days. “The ice storm, while early in the year, did not catch us off guard,” said Hunter Robinson, Central CEO. “Just the week before we held a table top drill for our Outage
Significant icing on the power lines
Response Plan and played out what needed to take place should a major outage event take place. When the ice storm hit, we were prepared to hit the ground running, and our team did just that.” Early in the storm, Central brought in mutual aid crews from neighboring Oklahoma cooperatives and three other states to help. Central also had contract crews in addition to the co-op’s own line crews. More than 100 individuals were working in the field along with support from nearly 60 employees in the office dispatching crews, answering members’ phone calls and making sure crews had everything they needed to work efficiently. All outages were restored by 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3.
Central’s systems operation center
Broken pole near Coyle
Ice on lines near Jones
UPDATE FROM THE CEO
COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES IN ACTION DECEMBER 2020 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) Stu Preston, Vice President (District 2) Bill Davis, Secretary/Treasurer (District 7) Gary McCune (District 1) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) James Wells (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications
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Contact Us: editor@MyCentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076 Notice: Central’s office will be closed December 24-25 for Christmas and January 1 for New Years Day.
Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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This year has been ... let’s just say challenging. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, 2020 throws something else at you. It reminds me of a quote by Rae Smith: “Adversity shakes the foundations of our character to see if what we believe and value is really worth standing for.” Cooperatives are built on a set of values we call the seven coop principles. We talk about them quite a bit, but there are also times when we see them in action.
The first wave of ice hit on Monday, Oct. 26, followed by two more rounds on the two days following. More than 14,000 meters were affected by the storm, which equates to about 63% of our system. The first few days were difficult as we worked to ensure the safety of the public, check thousands of damage reports and begin to restore power. Restoring power during an ice storm becomes somewhat a losing battle because as you make repairs, other areas behind you will begin to fall due to ice loading on trees and wire. It does not take long before a storm becomes too large for a single co-op.
Utilities have taken quite a Hunter Robinson, hit this year. Our nation has Central CEO Cooperatives from Missouri, been dealing with hurricanes, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklawildfires and a pandemic. homa answered our call and sent crews Long ago, cooperatives set standards on how power lines are built, and these to assist. We had more than 100 individuals in the field assessing damage, standards allow crews to go to other clearing the destruction and working to co-ops and construct line just as they would here at Central. These standards restore power. Crews worked in shifts around the clock for nine days. The allow for the execution of co-op principle number six: Cooperation Among entire employee group pulled together to answer calls, dispatch crews, and Cooperatives. work to make sure crews were safe and In September and October, we sent line cared for. crews to Louisiana to help with HurriIt was in our time of adversity, that canes Laura and Delta. I am proud of Central and the cooperative business our cooperative’s ability to help others model was at its strongest. When we in their times of need. Mutual aid is a were shaken, it was our beliefs and valgreat thing, and while you hope you never need the favor returned, there is a ues that helped us to overcome. I would small thought in the back of your mind like to thank the crews from Ozark, Petit Jean, Barton County, Barry, that knows one day you will need to Verdigris Valley, People’s, Heartland, make the ask. Twin Valley and Four River electric cooperatives who assisted in our time Little did we know that less than a of need. Your assistance exemplifies the month after sending crews to Louisico-op principle number six, Cooperaana, we would be in need of mutual tion Among Cooperatives, and we are aid to help restore power during one thankful for you all. of the biggest ice storms in our co-op’s history.
RESTORING POWER AFTER THE STORM Electricity powers our lives. We depend on it for nearly everything we do. So we understand how frustrating it can be when you’re left in the dark. Power outages are never convenient. It takes a lot of hands to keep your power on, and even more hands to get it up and running when an outage occurs. Central works hard to restore your electric service when outages occur, but there are necessary steps to take to ensure power is restored to the majority of members as quickly, and safely, as possible. During a major storm, the first few days are dedicated to securing the environment and ensuring public safety. This includes removing fallen lines from roadways, driveways and other highly-traveled areas. Before we can begin to think about restoring power, we must make sure that the public and our linemen will be safe.
TRANSMISSION LINES
SUBSTATION substations. These substations serve thousands of members. If the issue is isolated and can be resolved at the substation level, great! That means thousands of people can get their power restored at once.
FEEDERS
At times, the issue cannot be isolated to one of our distribution substations. If that is the case, Central crews inspect supply lines, called feeders, between the substations and the meters they serve. If the feeders can be repaired, power can be restored to the homes those lines serve, as long as there is no damage to the tap lines.
TAP LINES Then, we look to our transmission lines. If there is an issue with our transmission lines, it will not do anyone any good to fix distribution lines. Crews identify which poles and lines have incurred damage. Repairs to damaged transmission lines are made by our power provider, KAMO Power, and is the top priority in restoring power. High voltage transmission lines from KAMO Power feed our distribution
Tap lines carry power to the transformers located underground or connected to poles outside of homes and other buildings. Central line crews identify which damaged lines to work on first based on which lines will restore power to the greatest number of members.
SERVICE LINE
Many times, the issue is resolved once the tap lines are repaired. But have you ever lost power only to look next door and see the lights still blazing from your neighbor’s window? When this happens, it generally means that the service line between your home and the nearby transformer has been damaged. If this happens, know that your power may be one of the last to be restored. When feeders and tap lines are restored, line crews will come to fix the service line to your home. Power restoration can be a tricky business, so if you lose service in your home or neighborhood please remember the following: Z Stay clear of downed power lines. Contact with these lines could be life threatening. Z Report the outage to Central as soon as possible using SmartHub or by calling. Social media should not be used to report outages. We appreciate your patience and cooperation whenever an outage occurs. Know that crews work around the clock during outages – at night, on the weekends, and even on holidays – to restore you power! During a major outage, Central posts regular outage updates to its website, automated phone system, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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MERIDIAN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT Sight is one of a firefighter’s most precious commodities, but smoke can quickly deprive them of that sense, making it difficult to navigate quickly to victims or the source of a fire. Thankfully, advances in thermal imaging technology has given firefighters the ability to “see” through smoke. Unfortunately, tight budgets for small fire departments prevent them from purchasing the life-saving thermal imaging cameras. Such was the case for the Meridian Volunteer Fire Department, a 12-person department that fights an average of 75 fires a year. However, thanks to a $4,200 grant from the Central Community Foundation, the department now has two thermal imaging cameras. Grants from the Central Community Foundation are made possible by Central members who round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. These funds are put into the Foundation, which distributes them to individuals and organizations in need throughout Central’s seven-county service area.
Pictured from left to right are Meridian Fire Department board president Simon Thomas, Central Community Foundation board member Peggy Wolfe and Fire Chief John Pross.
ability to detect fires in enclosed spaces, as well hot spots. It can also help firefighters find people who may be trapped in a fire.
The cameras will be used to help fight all types of fires and give firefighters the
Fire Chief John Pross, who has been with the department for 20 years serving the past five as the chief, said the department has never had thermal
for sale
SERVICES
SERVICES
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Dr. Myers Chiropractic, Luther Real “Hands-on” physical adjustment $35 total office visit. Truck Driver DOT health card $75. Truck Driver DOT drug test $45. Truck Driver DOT alcohol test $45. Truck Owner FMCSA (DOT) Compliant. Randomized Drug Testing Program. Call 405-277-3325
Operation Catnip Stillwater Clinics have been temporarily canceled due to the Covid pandemic. For updates, please check our website at operationcatnip.okstate.edu or our Operation Catnip Stillwater Facebook page. You may also call 405-466-5810.
Babysitter, guardian angels, protectors, loyal best friend. We have your next generation super dog. Anatolian-Great Pyranees puppies. Smart, very beautiful, good with humans and livestock. Four available. Call 405-519-9347 Guthrie.
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imaging equipment as annual funds are tight, with the budget being focused on firefighter training, insurance, fuel and maintenance costs of the department’s five apparatuses and one mini-apparatus. Visit www.MyCentral.Foundation for more information and to see the impact the foundation is making.
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