Welcome Home: SDG&E Crews Finish Fire Recovery Mission Safel

Welcome Home: SDG&E Crews Finish Fire Recovery Mission Safely

Thirty-two of our employees who volunteered for fire recovery efforts in Northern California are home safe and sound today. They had spent the past 10 days helping to rebuild the power grid in areas ravaged by wildfires.

 

When their plane touched down in San Diego this morning, there was a big round of applause for a safe and successful mission. SDG&E Chief Operating Officer Caroline Winn and Senior Vice President of Electric Operations Dave Geier personally welcomed the crews home.

 

Mendocino Complex Fire

On Aug. 3, our crews arrived in Mendocino County to help rebuild the power grid after the Mendocino Complex Fire burned through dozens of communities. Work began last Saturday on a 12-kilovolt (kV) electric branch line and involved replacing 11 poles, relocating fused switches and repairing three transformers.

 

Responding to the Carr Fire

Halfway through the mission, crews were requested in Redding to restore areas stricken by the Carr Fire. SDG&E crews joined PG&E crews to assist with rebuilding a section of a 60-kV line, which included setting approximately 50 poles, grading, digging pole holes and framing of 40 plus poles. The area had been badly damaged by the fires and required extra precautions to ensure the safety of all crews in the area.

 

Being There for Each Other in Times of Need
Through a well-established mutual aid system, electric companies impacted by a major event can increase the size of their workforce by “borrowing” restoration workers from other companies in unaffected areas. Utility line workers support their brothers and sisters working for neighboring utilities whenever they can. It’s a mission that they are proud to take part in – not only to share their knowledge and expertise, but to provide power to those in need.