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Tactical When Disaster Strikes, Dealers are Power-ful Power generation dealers were put to the test during Super Storm Sandy By Joanne Costin Emergencies don���t happen every day, but when they strike, dealers need to be ready ��� especially power equipment dealers. In a recent webinar conducted by the Diesel Technology Forum, two power equipment dealers, as well as generator manufacturers and federal emergency agencies shared their experiences from Super Storm Sandy and best practices for emergency power generation. Transforming Peak Power Generators to Emergency Prime Power Iconic images of a roller coaster strewn in the water along the boardwalk in the devastated city of Seaside Heights, N.J., were broadcast around the world after Hurricane Sandy hit last October. Mike Dysart, region general manager for Cummins Power Generation, based in Newark, N.J., recalled the dealership���s connection with the town and how their diesel generators and staff became unlikely heroes of the storm. The summer before Sandy hit Cummins Power Generation had installed three 2000 KW, 12,470 volts generators for the Jersey shore town located on a barrier island. The generators were designed to work in tandem with Jersey Power & Light during peak usage periods when the utility was unable to provide enough power. On hot summer days the utility would power on the Cummins generators as the utility reduced the load available to the community. Installing the generators ensured the local business community there would be no loss of power that might cause an economic hardship to the community during the busy summer months. Then along came Hurricane Sandy to test both the community and the dealer. The site selected for the generators proved to be critical to the role the generators would play in the days after the storm. Floodwaters reached just inches below the generator units at the peak. ���We were very lucky the equipment did not get damaged by floodwaters,��� said Dysart. Meanwhile, the entire city was without power. After two days, while the area was still on lockdown, four Cummins Power technicians were asked to respond to help restore emergency power to the community. Using FEMA trailers for food and showers and staying in hotels without heat, the technicians reached the generator and changed the sequence of operations from peak shaving to isolated bus ��� the unit could now provide emergency power to the community. Each tech worked 24/7 in five-day shifts for 20 days following the storm until power was restored. Cummins Power technicians monitored the situation and fueled the generators with more than 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel daily. At the same time, the Cummins Power Generation dealer was busy handling more than 450 customer calls, and making site visits to 250 locations. It provided 24/7 support at many companies including Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, and other network storage companies. As if that wasn���t enough, the company���s Newark branch itself fell victim to flooding, too. Responding to follow-up questions after the webinar, the expert panel emphasized the importance of site selection when installing temporary power. Dealers not only need to worry about wind damage and flooding of the generator but also the location of the battery backup and access to service and fuel sources. Preparing for Portable Power John Callahan, vice president, Power Systems Group, H.O. Penn, believes that while power needs have become more (continued on page 36) 34 | www.cedmag.com | Construction Equipment Distribution | April 2013 34_Emergency_Feature_KP.indd 34 3/25/13 12:40 PM