Reflecting on Recovery PAGE 4 n Restoration Recap PAGE 5 n Florence Assistance PAGE 32

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative

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Hurricane Irma: One Year LaterAt this time last year, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative wrapped up Hurricane Irma restoration work. We reflect on what we learned, and remember our successes and all those critical to restoring power in the Upper and Middle Keys.

Reflecting on Storm RecoveryA little over a year ago, Hurricane Irma put our years of preparing and planning for the “big one” to the test. Experience is a great life lesson, and I’m proud of the work FKEC did to stand storm strong in the face of Irma. A year later, I’m also proud of the in-depth look we’ve taken at our storm restoration efforts to identify any areas that can be improved upon. For more than 10 years FKEC has worked to strengthen our infrastructure and craft plans to deal with all possible storm scenarios. This proved to pay off as our power system, facilities and storm restoration plan all performed beyond our expectations during and after Hurricane Irma. However, this isn’t to say there weren’t lessons to be learned. To learn from our experience, a few weeks after storm restoration was complete we held an action debrief to identify anything that did not work as well as it could have. That meeting was then followed by two additional meetings to track our progress on making the changes and improvements identified. Thanks to these frank discussions, FKEC will be better prepared to deal with subsequent storms even more efficiently. The documen-tation of these debriefings will also allow our future leaders and co-op staff to understand what we saw and what we changed. Lessons learned range from specific issues to more all-encompassing practices. One example was the failure of local communi-cation services.

As you may remember, in the days after Irma, ATT, Verizon and Comcast services (cell phone, landline and internet service) as well as satellite capabilities ceased working. A few FKEC employees with Sprint cellphones temporarily donated their use to the resto-ration effort. FKEC’s Motorola radio system did perform well which allowed communi-cation between crews. To improve this issue, during a storm we will now activate more communication service providers. In addition to identifying improvements, the debriefings also document the many important strategies that worked. One of the most notable was FKEC’s ability to adjust plans to fit the circumstances. Our team’s willingness to assess a situation, listen to ideas, brainstorm and make the changes needed was key in restoring power safely and efficiently. Our employees’ capability to work outside their normal duties and do what needed to be done also proved invaluable. I cannot look back on our Irma restoration work without once again thanking every single person who played critical roles in restoring power to the Upper and Middle Keys. We must also recognize the members of our community who are still working to recover from Irma’s impact.

SCOTT NEWBERRYChief Executive Officer

October 2018 www.FKEC.com

FKEC NEWS

FLORIDA KEYSELECTRIC COOPERATIVEASSOCIATION, INC.Member Owned Since 1940

BOARD OF DIRECTORSJames J. BoiliniDistrict 1, Key Largo President

Karl WagnerDistrict 4, Marathon Vice President

Cale SmithDistrict 3, Islamorada Treasurer

Michael H. PutoDistrict 4, Marathon Secretary

David C. RitzDistrict 1, Key Largo

Gretchen HollandDistrict 1, Key Largo

Craig BelcherDistrict 2, Tavernier

Joseph RothDistrict 2, Tavernier

George D. HertelDistrict 3, Islamorada

CONTACT US:(305) 852-2431 (800) 858-8845 Pay by Phone 1-855-385-9912 www.FKEC.comMailing Address:P.O. Box 377, Tavernier, FL 33070

MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW:As storm season continues, visit our Storm Center for resources, tips and tricks to protecting yourself, and your possessions. www.fkec.com/Cooperative/stormcenter.cfm

Unless otherwise noted, “FKEC NEWS” writing, design & photography by:Nikki Dunn Cullen news@fkec.comEdited by: Rebecca Callahan Newman

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Sunday, September 10, 2017 — In the early hours, FKEC faced Hurricane Irma — the strongest storm to hit our island chain since Hurricane Donna in 1960. The Category 4 storm impacted our entire service territory

Monday, September 11, 2017 — 90 percent of FKEC’s members were without power. The entire Keys were dark south of Snake Creek bridge. The 32 FKEC employees who had not evacuated began the restoration effort.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017 — Less than 72 hours after the storm had passed, base camps were established and FKEC’s restoration workforce had swelled to more than 350 contract workers working with our 114 FKEC employees.

Saturday, September 23, 2017 —13 days after landfall, the last of FKEC’s members who were able to receive power were reconnected. This was done without a single lost-time injury during the entire restoration effort. Restoration work would not have been possible without the hard work of our co-op employees and the outside crews that responded to our request for aid and, of course the support of you, our member-owners.

To date, October 2018 —FKEC maintains reliability while continuing to restrengthen our power system and address ongoing repairs.

Hurricane Irma Restoration Recap

All FKEC members able to receive power were restored in only 13 days after Irma made landfall, and all work was completed with no lost time injuries.

Less than 12 hours after Hurricane Irma made landfall, FKEC CEO Scott Newberry boarded a helicopter to survey the extent of damage. The

inspection revealed our work to build a storm-strong power system had paid off. The backbone of our system was intact.

Photo by Scott Newberry

To house outside assistance crews, FKEC established storm restoration base camps in Islamorada and Marathon. Each site served approximately 150 people and included an air-conditioned cafeteria tent, sleep trailers and showers. Photo by Doug Finger Photography

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Hurricane Irma, A Year LaterOn the one year anniversary of Hurricane Irma, at FKEC we are reflecting on restoration successes while we maintain focus on long-term storm repairs. While our FKEC members and entire Florida Keys community have made great strides in recovering from Hurricane Irma, the storm is far from a distant memory.

The Long-Term At FKEC, we continue to repair and restrengthen our system in order to maintain reliable power service in the Upper and Middle Keys. Our post-Irma work includes a wide-range of projects from crews replacing stretches of residential distri-bution poles and pole-top equipment, to specialty contractors making critical repairs to our high voltage transmission system. It is our priority to serve our FKEC members to the best of our ability and ensure we are ready should another storm strike. While we continue to restrengthen our power system we appreciate your patience and support.

The People Behind the Power While FKEC’s long-term prepara-tions and thorough restoration plan positioned us to restore power efficiently, it was the dedication of each co-op employee, the hard work of the outside assistance crews, and the cooperation of our members that fueled our restoration efforts. As soon as conditions allowed, your dedicated FKEC personnel showed up for work. Every employee was tasked with work relevant to storm restoration. People who normally work in billing or the mailroom were pulled to do everything from documenting damage to assembling equipment. A remarkable 100% of all FKEC members who could safely receive power

were fully restored only 13 days after Irma made landfall. Everyone put their own personal concerns aside and dedicated themselves to restoring power to this community.

The Resilience of Our Community Our FKEC members and our Florida Keys community as a whole proved our resiliency in the face of great devastation. As the dust settled (literally), members of this community immediately pulled together to help one another and begin the recovery process. It was our community who not only feed our crews and each other, but feed our spirits with dedicate support and displays of appreciation. While those hardest hit continue to

rebuild, today are community spirit isstronger than ever and FKEC is proud to be the hometown cooperative of the Upper and Middle Keys.

A year later, FKEC crews continue to repair damage caused by Irma. Co-op crews recently switched power delivery over to a new, improved feeder line on Duck Key to ensure reliable electric service.Photo by Steve Horne

While doing storm restoration, FKEC Lineman Dale Ratza gets a pat on the back from a gracious co-op member.Photo by Jason Koler/KeysWeekly

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After 10 longs days of work, FKEC’s Walt Stephens, in the truck, says goodbye and expresses the co-op’s appreciation to outside assistance crews.Photo by Marie Bruan

While FKEC’s long-term preparations and planning paid off, it was the dedication of each co-op employee, the hard work of the outside assistance crews, and the cooperation of our members that fueled our restoration efforts.

Working among the debris left by Irma. Photo by Jason Richards

Shawn Dudley and Brooke Cash assembling grounds in the Tavernier warehouse.Photo by Nicole Kraus

FKEC lineman Rudy Vega (in the bucket) works with crews from utility contractor Michels to restring wire.

Linemen from Michels Line Construction Contractor, led by FKEC Lineman Robert Lovell—standing in the boat—make a repair on a 120-foot-tall transmission pole at the Indian Key Fill water crossing. Photo by Doug Finger Photography

During restoration, FKEC fed 250+ employees and contractor workers at the Tavernier Operations Center.

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Want More Co-op News? Visit www.FKEC.comStay up to date on current FKEC happenings or visit our news archives online. Our digital news and informative resources include:• News release, past and present

www.fkec.com/Cooperative/press-releases.cfm• Our book “Hurricane Irma: FKEC Before, During & After”

https://indd.adobe.com/view/c0b4b5cd-1497-439b-9ce1-6d942fe1cf3e• A video library which includes clips from our annual

meetings as well as historic 8mm films circa 1960 www.fkec.com/Cooperative/video.cfm

• Current and past issues of our Florida Currents magazine in new flip-book format www.fkec.com/Cooperative/newsletters.cfm Additional online resources include our storm center, energy guide, proper planting booklet, and much more.

Employee Anniversaries:

Pierce Celebrates 25 Years

Employees Celebrating 10 Years

FKEC congratulates Adam Pierce on his 25 years of service to FKEC. Pierce joined FKEC as a member of the Right-of-Way Tree Crew in 1993. After a year, he was promoted to Tree Crew Leader and held that position for five years before being promoted to Equipment Operator. In 2007, Pierce earned a promotion to his current position of Work Leaderin the Marathon warehouse. Pierce has also completed the three-year academic portion of the Apprentice Lineman program and serves on the Employee Appreciation Committee. A true native “conch”, Pierce and his wife Joana continue to live in Marathon. Together they enjoy traveling to watch their son Kyle play college baseball in North Carolina, and also getting out on the boat.

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative employee anniversaries are recognized in five-year intervals.

Scott Sheffield Peter Amendola

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FL-152

305.852.2431 | 800.858.8845 | www.FKEC.com

Heading Toward the StormOn September 13, 2018 —As this publication was going to press— Your local co-op sent crews, equipment and supplies to assist with Hurricane Florence power restoration in the Carolinas. The four two-man teams with three bucket trucks, a digger truck, pickup truck and supplies will safely stage in Jacksonville, FL to wait until the storm makes landfall. The linemen will then head north to work with Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation, a co-op utility based out of North Carolina. “A year ago outside assistant crews were here helping us restore power after Hurricane Irma,” said CEO Scott Newberry as he watched the FKEC crews leave. “Today it feels good to give back by sending manpower and supplies to help with Hurricane Florence restoration. The solidarity between co-ops is a powerful benefit and members should find comfort in knowing we do not stand alone.”

FKEC sends crews to assist with Hurricane Florence restoration

As Hurricane Florence approaches the Carolinas, FKEC Linemen (from left) Scott Meiner, Travis White, Dustin Ratza, Dale Ratza, Scott Lafreniere, Dave Ragland, Juan Castano and Billy Goodwin head toward the storm to assist Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation with power restoration.

A year to the day that outside assistance crews began working to help FKEC restore power after Irma, your local co-op sent crews to assist with Hurricane Florence restoration.

FKEC linemen and equipment head to help areas impacted by Hurricane Florence.

Watch a video of the convoy leaving on at youtu.be/GPncEF-_DDs or Facebook @FloridaKeysElectricCooperative