Personnel from GreyStone Power Corporation and other electric membership corporations across Georgia are headed to Florida to help electric co-ops restore power following Tropical Storm Hermine.
Linemen at GreyStone volunteer to travel to help co-ops in need when crises like Hurricane Hermine occur. Nine GreyStone linemen left Friday afternoon to spend the holiday weekend helping Clay Electric co-op members in Florida.
GreyStone Lead Lineman Matt Williams says he volunteers because he wants to help people suffering through the ravages of hurricanes, tornados and other disasters that can wreak havoc on electrical lines. “Our goal down there is to get as much power on as safely as possible,” he said. Williams has assisted so many other electric cooperatives needing help restoring power that “I’ve lost count,” he said. As the men packed up and prepared to leave, GreyStone Operations Manager Steve Findley reminded the men, “Safety First.”
GreyStone Line Foreman Josh Jones explained that their first job once they reach Clay Electric is to meet with the operations leadership to learn where and how they can best help. Co-ops may operate differently, using different materials and tools, and knowing the way the cooperative works is essential to doing the job safely and correctly.
Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (GEMC) Vice President of Safety, Training and Education recruits line crews from co-ops all over Georgia when the need is severe. “It’s a massive effort and requires careful planning and coordination when you’re sending crews and equipment from all over Georgia. It’s critical that the electric co-ops in Florida have access to a large group of crews to help them restore power quickly while keeping crews and customers out of harm’s way.”
The number of EMCs offering restoration assistance could increase in the days ahead, after affected co-ops in Florida complete the daunting task of surveying damage and identifying specific needs.
EMCs in Georgia are providing assistance through mutual aid agreements between the nation's nearly 1,000 electric cooperatives which help one another during natural disasters, including storm restoration efforts.

Front row, (l-r) Patrick LeCroy, Matt Williams, Brian Bonner; second row, (l-r) Josh Jones, Taylor Shadrix, Sam Albright, Chris Gibson, Eric Brown, Clint Capes.