Jacksonville, FL — In wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, JEA is doing its part to help the families of Puerto Rico.
This Thursday, 41 JEA linemen and direct support personnel are leaving for Puerto Rico to assist in the reconstruction of the electric infrastructure.
JEA says its been working with Whitefish Energy, the lead contractor for electric restoration in Puerto Rico, along with Crowley Maritime, TOTE Maritime, JaxPort, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, to deploy lineman and equipment, and to coordinate logistics.
NOW: JEA trucks arrive @CrowleyMaritime for shipment to #PuertoRico for #HurricaneMaria relief @NewsfromJEA #PRStrong @lennycurry @CityofJax pic.twitter.com/EpFT69BO3i
— JAXPORT (@JAXPORT) October 3, 2017
JEA's CEO, Paul McElroy, says these employees will be in Puerto Rico 30 days and will rotate out. JEA has committed assets for up to 90 days.
"This is what our linemen do and they have been widely recognized for their abilities and dedication. They build and restore electric service in difficult situations. They will be working in extremely dangerous conditions doing extremely dangerous work. They are the electric industry's first responders, and Jacksonville is very proud of them," says McElroy.
JEA says the deployment of these employees will be the first phase of reconstruction. We're told later phases will eventually include the addition of more electric restoration personnel from around the country.