News
HTC Crews Head to Kentucky to Help
February 6, 2009
HTC Crews Prepare to Leave, Go to Kentucky to Help with Repairs After Ice Storm
HTC crews are preparing to leave on Sunday morning to travel to Mayfield, Kentucky to help West Kentucky Rural Telephone Cooperative with repairs after the deadly Kentucky ice storm. HTC is sending two full aerial crews and bucket trucks to join West Kentucky crews, National Guard troops, and other utility crews in the recovery efforts following the storm.
“West Kentucky Telephone Cooperative has received a devastating amount of damage from the massive ice storm that hit Kentucky almost two weeks ago and has asked for drop crews to assist in placing aerial cables,” says Scott Everett, HTC Chief of Plant Operations. “Almost half of their subscribers have been without service since the storm came through January 26 and 27. The power is starting to come back on in many of their service areas and they have reached out to other telephone companies for assistance.”
They will leave the HTC main office on Highway 701 North in Conway early Sunday morning and will work there all next week. Depending on the conditions at the end of the week, HTC crews may continue working for a total of two weeks to help restore service.
“HTC has been very fortunate in the last few years that we haven’t had to respond locally to such devastating conditions,” says Curley Huggins, HTC’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are happy to be able to help our sister cooperatives in times of need. I am sure they would do the same for us in a similar situation, and hopefully, they will not have to return the favor anytime soon.”
“When our employees were asked about the opportunity, our HTC crew members willingly volunteered to go and help,” continued Everett.
Craig Johnson, HTC Construction Supervisor, will help lead the crew in their restorative efforts while in Kentucky next week. “We did not hesitate to accept the opportunity to help. If we were in need, I would hope that others would do the same for us. Kentucky residents have been through a lot in the last few weeks, and we will be glad to represent HTC and do our part to help,” explained Johnson.
HTC crew members include Craig Johnson, HTC Construction Supervisor; Forrest Graham, HTC Construction Worker; Peter Rabon, HTC Senior Construction Worker; and Chris Cox, HTC Plant Operations Supervisor. For more information about HTC’s trip to Mayfield, Kentucky, please contact Nicole Hyman, HTC Senior Marketing Coordinator, at 843-369-8498 or nicole.hyman@htcinc.net.
