An article written about the heroes of INTREN!
"When a linecrew from Intren drove down from Pennsylvania to help Tampa Electric after Hurricane Milton, they anticipated the usual kind of restoration experience that comes from assisting peer utilities: new place, same safety-focused work.
But on an otherwise normal street in Plant City Wednesday, panic erupted.
“Around noon, Intren was patrolling a residential area without power in preparation to make repairs,” said Tampa Electric Line Supervisor Mike Jackson. “Suddenly they noticed down the street a woman running out of her house, screaming that she’d been burned. The crew rushed over to discover the woman and her children had been badly burned on their legs and front of their bodies.
“First thing the crew did was call 911 to get emergency help on the way,” Mike continued. “Next, they rushed to get first aid and burn kits from their trucks, and they applied burn gel blankets to the victims. While the victims were waiting for paramedics to arrive, the crew stayed with them and helped to keep them calm until emergency help was on scene. The victims were all taken to the hospital via ambulance. Afterward, paramedics came over to the Intren crew and thanked them for their quick response. They said the use of the burn blankets will help these victims from having much worse burn damage to their skin. Apparently, the mother was cooking bacon in a shed behind the house using propane when a possible propane leak/fire occurred, causing her and her young children to be burned.”
Mike later spoke with Intren Director Darren Peterson, who pledged to start a collection to help the injured family.
“This crew did exactly what anyone should do in a dire situation,” Mike said, “and it just goes to show that even while working long hours, long days and long weeks, the concern for others is always the top priority in storm restoration, no matter what part of the country we’re in. What a great example of why we train to be ready in cases where moments can make a huge difference in a bad situation and how those who step up and take quick action make all the difference.”
Lives on the Line
The Intren crew’s dramatic story reminds us that restoration is about more than safely reconnecting wires and replanting poles; it’s about helping people restore their lives – even when disaster strikes. That’s what other Plant City residents recognized Wednesday night with a roadside salute to the crews who had descended on their community after Milton. The city’s mayor, vice mayor and other leaders joined other community members in welcoming the return of our line crews on Wednesday after a long day of restoration."
Thank you, Intren heroes! The crew includes Supervisor Larry Allen,
Crew Lead Patrick Burns, Lineworker Dan Livingston and Apprentice Shawn Haley"