A powerful storm blew through southwest Kansas earlier this week, leaving multiple residents without power. It was reported that the storm produced straight-line winds of up to 85 mph, which caused widespread damage.
On Tuesday, Management at McPherson BPU was contacted by staff at Kansas Municipal Utilities, which facilitates the Kansas Mutual Aid Program for Utilities (KSMAP), to inquire about the possibility of mobilizing a crew and equipment to help replace and rebuild a line and poles that were uprooted in rural Jetmore.
The McPherson BPU responded by sending five linemen, a digger derrick, and a bucket truck. Serving in the McPherson BPU Mutual Aid Crew were Crew Chief and Journeyman Aaron Hart, Journeymen Jaden Abernathy and Austin Johnson, and two Apprentice linemen, Jackson Wagner and Brant Hebel. “Anytime we can use our skills and training to help people gives us tremendous fulfillment. It’s the reason that we chose this profession,” stated Crew Chief Aaron Hart.
BPU’s crew worked from midday until 11 PM Wednesday alongside crews from Pratt and Garden City to replace 26 poles and rebuild and restring a three-phase line that feeds Jetmore’s rural customers.