COMMUNITY NEWS
Grand Haven Board of Light and Power
1700 Eaton Drive, Grand Haven, MI
Contact: Erik Booth
Phone: (616) 607-1264
E-mail: ebooth@ghblp.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRAND HAVEN, MICH., Oct. 8, 2024 – The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power (BLP) has deployed a line crew to respond to requests for mutual aid in the eventual aftermath of Hurricane Milton. The BLP line crew joins five other Michigan municipal electric line crews to travel and assist Florida’s recovery efforts from the subsequent effects of the hurricane.
The crews left early Monday morning so that they could minimize the response time following Hurricane Milton which is projected to make landfall on Wednesday.
Rob Shelley, BLP general manager, commented “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Florida. Mutual Aid is such a critical resource for utilities, and we are honored to assist in the eventual recovery efforts.”
Mutual aid is an emergency response arrangement in which utilities both receive and give assistance for power restoration following a disaster. When an electric system is damaged beyond the capabilities of the local electric utility, a call for assistance from other utilities is requested. The requesting utility specifies the best estimate of skilled utility workers, equipment, and materials it needs. Other utilities not affected by the damage then respond with what they can offer.
“The dedication of our workforce extends beyond our local community” explained Shelley. “We wish our crew members safe travels and thank them for their willingness to assist the people of Florida who are still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.”
October 10, 2024 – Tribune Article BLP Sends Crew to Florida by Tribune Staff
Learn more about what Mutal Aid is from APPA Storm Center/Mutal Aid
