Crews & News

Helicopter Hover Exit Training-Recently, West Kootenay Power in British Columbia held a helicopter training course for Asplundh Canada Inc. employees of the Remo Maddalozzo Region. These crews can now safely exit a helicopter without it having to touch down on rough terrain, a common problem as much of West Kootenay's transmission systems runs through mountains. This procedure allows crews to drop into an area, clear brush for the helicopter to land and continue clearing the line. Pictured above is Foreman Rob Krogstad practicing a high hover exit. He's not wearing a hard hat, as it's deemed a safety hazard for this procedure. It could get sucked up into the rotors. Participants included General Foreman Ed Schroeder, Foremen Rob Krogstad, Keith Lutz and Rob Rudichuk and Crew Members Jaxson Rich and Kris Wissman.

Kudos From PECO-When PECO Energy needed to remove nine large white pine trees in a very limited space and short amount of time, they immediately called on Asplundh crews from the Doug Gober Region to do the job! The tree removals in May were a part of a Reliability Enhancement Program to improve areas of recent power outages on two highly sensitive 34kV and 13.2kV circuits within Delaware County in southeastern Pennsylvania. Over a highly productive two days, the crews hauled away seven loads of wood chips and three log truckloads of wood. PECO was highly impressed with the crew's teamwork and expertise.

All the News That's Fit to Print-Foreman Kevin Bowser of the George Meyer Region recently appeared in the Portland, Oregon Statesman Journal along with an article titled "Charging Ahead to Safety" about electrocution from overhead power lines. Though 30 people were shocked by power lines in the state last year, those numbers have actually fallen for the second year in a row through public education and a careful pruning program. Kevin works on the property of Portland General Electric under General Foreman Vern Renninger. Also in the news about public safety were crews from the Steve Bostock Region, working on the property of Alabama Power Co. in Mobile. Despite record-breaking heat in August, the Mobile Register showed Asplundh crews out in force to keep the trees trimmed, reducing the chance that a tree will become electrified and injure someone.

Strutting Their Stuff-Twenty-three foremen and crew members from the Dan Thurston Region in Oklahoma turned out on May 26 for an American Electric Power (AEP) Tree Climbing Jamboree. The jamboree was organized by AEP West Tree Coordinator Grant Ehlen and was held in Tulsa. Trophies were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and t-shirts were given to all participants. It certainly looks like a good time was had by all!

Declaration of Independence-Independence Power & Light (IP&L) in Missouri, was one of 51 utilities to be given a TreeLine U.S.A. designation this year by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The honor is given to those with a program of quality tree care, annual worker training and a tree planting and education program. With Asplundh as its vegetation management contractor, IP&L recognized the company as being instrumental in winning the award. Pictured above are General Foreman Willy Plake and his proud crews of the Mel Riley Region with IP&L Supervisor Jim Martin, Forester Bill Roach and Arborist Mike Adams.

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