Bluewater Power linemen deployed to help aid Floridans in the wake of hurricane Dorian are back in Sarnia.
CEO Janice McMichael-Dennis said their help was no longer needed.
"What happened was, later in the weekend as they were en route, Florida Power and Light cancelled the Canadian contingent as hurricane Dorian slightly changed paths," said McMichael-Dennis. "Normally for a U.S. energy provider/power company they will go to U.S. sources first for their humanitarian hurricane relief and therefore the Canadian crews were literally called out, stopped and sent home, but then put on standby."
By late Tuesday afternoon, McMichael-Dennis said the standby had not been called in.
She said each time there is a call for this type of aid, the utility assesses the local situation first.
"We, first of all, ensure that we're not jeopardizing service here," said McMichael-Dennis. "We ensure that there isn't big storm warnings here, or there isn't some major project for safety and reliability that would be impacted. Then we turn to the crews and see who wants to help. It's a very rewarding activity for the crews."
She said they always come back with stories of people coming out of their homes and thanking them, hugging and crying as trucks roll down the street.
"We're ready to go if the call comes in," she said. "My understanding now with Dorian is there's less of an impact for Florida. Bahamas has been hard hit but we haven't heard anything from the Bahamas at this point. But, we are always ready to answer that call when needed."
McMichael-Dennis said the energy provider who's requesting the assistance pays for the aid, so it's a win-win. It costs Bluewater Power nothing and provides such a big benefit to the area in need.