Hundreds of miles from home, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) crews helped restore power in Alabama following Hurricane Isaias – putting the cooperative spirit into action during National Co-op Month.
REC sent three construction crews, one from each district office in Bowling Green, Blue Ridge and Culpeper, along with two additional crews and two fleet employees to assist Wiregrass Electric Cooperative, in Hartford, Alabama. Together with local lineworkers, they worked to restore power safely to Wiregrass members. The deployment reflected cooperation among cooperatives, one of the seven Cooperative Principles that guide REC and other electric cooperatives.
“REC sent down a top-notch group of guys. They were excellent to work with, and you could tell right away that we all had the same priority — safety,” said Mitchie Bass, working foreman at Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. “I've been in linework for 23 years, and I've always believed everybody needs to go home safe at the end of the day.”
Through mutual aid, electric cooperatives share crews, equipment and expertise when storm damage exceeds what a local cooperative can handle alone.
“That's what makes cooperatives special. No matter where you are, there's always another co-op willing to help when storms hit. And we can't forget the families back home who make sacrifices so their loved ones can help others,” said Bass.
During National Co-op Month, REC recognizes the employees who answered the call in Alabama and the families who supported their service away from home.
