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87th CES responds to power outages

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Service members and their families may have been subject to both scheduled and unscheduled power outages here recently.

These unscheduled outages stemmed from animals, including groundhogs and raccoons, getting into the Argonne substation on Dix. The animals caused the outages by crawling on the transformers in the power station and creating an electrical short, producing serious damage to four high-voltage insulators.

The 87th Civil Engineer Squadron is currently implementing the use of humane traps, to prevent animals from getting into the substation. The traps capture the animals live and are designed to prevent injury. They then release the animals to other parts of the base.

Squadron members are also clearing vegetation around substations to make the high-voltage areas less appealing to animals, said Capt. Joseph DiRosario, 87th CES operations support chief.

The Dix electrical system was privatized to JCP&L, while the Lakehurst and McGuire systems remained government owned in 1996. After Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was established Oct.1, 2009, all Lakehurst and McGuire systems came under the control of the 87th CES, while the Dix side remained in the control of JCP&L. The 87th CES currently acts as liaison between the base populace and JCP&L, said Linda Chominski, 87th CES programs flight chief.

The 87th CES is currently working with JCP&L to develop a long-term plan to ensure the Dix power grid remains stable and continues to support service members and their families, said DiRosario.

A Dix-wide power outage is scheduled from 2 to 5 a.m Aug. 21 to repair damage caused by animal interference. This will allow the damaged high-voltage insulators to be replaced safely, said DiRosario.

"These repairs will ensure long-term uninterrupted power for Dix service members and their families," said DiRosario.

Air Mobility Command and 87th CES are also developing an infrastructure assessment to address electrical issues related to outages and infrastructure matters on Lakehurst, said Archer.

The 87th CES also concluded a series of scheduled power outages Aug. 3 on McGuire. The biennial outages are conducted to clean and test all circuit breakers before being reinstalled, said Master Sgt. Steve Krickhan, 87th CES facility systems superintendent.

Power outages are addressed within two to three hours in most cases, but residents and employees should be prepared for outages that can last longer. For example, power was out on Dix for about a day and a half due to the main high voltage transmission line off-base suffering damage during the hurricane Irene. There were localized outages during and after the hurricane due to distribution line damage and blown fuses.

The Center for Disease Control recommends having a disaster supply kit on hand whether an outage lasts a few hours or a few days. Recommended items include enough water, dried food, canned food and prescription medications to last three days in addition to flashlights and a digital thermometer. The 87th CES has a limited amount of personal generators provided only to mission-critical areas.

Additional tips to keep in mind during an outage include:
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by using generators, pressure washers, grills and similar items outdoors only.

- Throw away food that has a temperature higher than 40 F if the power is out longer than two hours. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for a longer period of time.

- Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids to prevent heat-related illnesses in hot weather.
- Wear layers of clothing, which help to reatain body heat during cold weather.

- Avoid power lines and the use of electric tools and appliances to prevent electrical shock.
Visit 1.usa.gov/3L9ONQ for more detailed information.

Call United Communities at (609) 723-4290 and choose option one for power outages on Dix base housing or Falcon Courts North. For power outages at workplaces on Dix call 562-6021. Call 754-2388 for Falcon Courts East, commanders' housing or office buildings on McGuire. Lakehurst service members and families should contact the 87th CES trouble desk at (732) 323-2600 in the event of an outage.

Base personnel should immediately contact the 87th Air Base Wing Legal Office at 754-2010 for any claims related to damages from a power outage incident.