ROCHELLE — While most Floridians are now beginning to assess the damages from Hurricane Irma, four linemen with Rochelle Municipal Utilities are on their way to assist.

Todd Johnson, Jamey Sullivan, Jason Burdin, and Phil Orlikowski left Rochelle early Sunday, stopping in Georgia for the night before making their way to Clewiston, Florida early Monday.

Jason Bird, Superintendent of Electric Operations for Rochelle explained RMU is part of a public power association. In the event of a natural disaster, RMU and any other municipal utility in the association can request assistance from other utilities all across the country.

The town of Clewiston, population of 7,500, belongs to the public power association and is located southwest of Lake Okeechobee.

Knowing some type of damages would occur from the hurricane, officials from utilities across Florida called for assistance. After RMU received the request, Bird asked if any of the Rochelle utility employees would be willing to make the trek, and although participation is optional the four stepped up to offer assistance.

Bird said in the past before coming to Rochelle he has been a part of the response crews involved with Hurricane Sandy, as well as an ice storm in Kentucky and a wind storm in Springfield — all that have caused tremendous damage to power lines.

“It’s always been my philosophy to help out when we can. When the call came in I asked if any Rochelle employees would be willing to go,” Bird said. “We had them ready to go, heading out in the utility vehicles early Sunday morning.”

The crew will be in Florida doing the necessary repairs until Sept. 23 working 16 hours a day, seven days a week helping to clear lines, stringing wires, and installing power poles.

Bird explained that although the costs of the trip, including the use of the utility vehicles, wages, lodging and meals are reimbursed, it’s about helping their fellow linemen in need.

“The City of Rochelle gets reimbursed for all of equipment and materials we use off of our trucks. All meals and lodging is covered by the entity that is requesting we come help,” Bird said. “We are recovering the costs, but we are doing it because we have fellow brothers that are linemen that need help. The municipality needs help.”

Bird said although the crew volunteered more than the two weeks to help out in Florida, he plans to get them home for some rest before returning to their regular jobs at RMU.

“They will be working long days in 80 to 90 degree humid temperatures, seven days a week,” Bird said. “Two weeks is hard work in those conditions. We plan to get them back, have them rest and refreshed and get them back with their families. After that, we can send additional help if the area still needs it.”

Tropical storm

Now that the hurricane has been downgraded to a tropical storm and is mostly out of the Sunshine State, Florida can begin cleanup efforts.

“They are five million people out of power, about half the state. Most of it is downed power lines,” Bird said early Monday morning. “Probably the biggest challenge is for the town to get roads cleared so emergency response and electrical crews can start making repairs.”