Roetman reflects on power restoration experience in Jamaica
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric Field Technician Gabe Roetman was among a team of nine volunteer lineworkers from eight co-ops across the United States who traveled to Jamaica in August to help restore power to residents impacted by Hurricane Beryl in July.
Roetman explained his interest in participating in the power restoration effort, “The last time I did an international project in 2016 in Haiti I enjoyed the experience, so I really wanted to do it again.”
The Category 4 storm—one of the most powerful to ever hit the country—swept along the island’s southern coast bringing more than 12 hours of heavy rain, leaving thousands of people without power, and heavy flooding in farm areas. The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) reached out for assistance and when NRECA International turned to the co-op network for help, the response was quick.
A pole top view of the damage sustained in southern Jamaica, July 4, as a result of Hurricane Beryl.
“Ingrid Hunsicker from NRECA International sent a mass email to people with previous experience with the international program looking for volunteers. I received the email August 6 and I was actually the last spot available that filled,” wrote Gabe.
“We have a very active network of volunteers and many lineworkers were ready to pack their bags right away,” said Hunsicker, NRECA International’s senior program manager who oversees the robust volunteer program.
“Some of the buildings had roofs missing and a lot of trees were tipped over,” said Gabe upon their arrival in Jamaica. “The area we worked in St. Elizabeth Parish is known as the breadbasket of Jamaica. A lot of agriculture in that parish. It was not like the agriculture we have around here. Very few mechanized farms. Very little row crop farming. Most of the farming is hand labor and a few farm animals from what I saw. Sugar cane was probably the biggest farms I saw, and the cane was raised for Appleton Estates rum. Some of the work we did was in more of a in town urban area.”
The team worked hand in hand with employees from JPS. A day after they arrived, they all traveled to St. Elizabeth Parish, located about 3.5 hours from Kingston. Communities in this region suffered great loss, and needed help to restore power, and their livelihoods. The challenges were obvious from the time they arrived.
Steele-Waseca’s Gabe Roetman (middle) collaborated with fellow team members in Jamaica hanging wire after new poles were set.
“Most of the work we did was rehanging wire after the new poles were set,” stated Gabe. “Most of the work was done off climbing gear. The typical workday started around 8 and we were back at the villas between 7 and 8 most days. The temperature was typically 90 to 95 degrees and very humid. It would typically rain for about 30 minutes in the middle of the afternoon most days, but aside from cloud cover for the brief rain shower—sunny.”
When asked to characterize the people in the area, Gabe responded, “The Jamaican people in the area we worked were very nice. Some of them would give us gifts of watermelon and coconuts. We were a little worried going in because JPS had wrote an article on their website condemning acts of violence towards JPS workers, but we never encountered that.”
Even though the people in their area were very nice, Gabe explained communicating with them was the most challenging part of his experience, “They speak English, but it is very different than American English and difficult to understand. Staying cool and hydrated was a little challenging, but nobody developed any hydration issues.”
With the intent to restore power, Gabe said the most rewarding part of the experience was turning people’s power on. “They were out of power for close to six weeks,” stated Gabe. “They would come out of their house with thumbs up and say ‘thank you’.”
Gabe explained his group returned to the U.S., close to a week earlier than projected, as they returned Saturday, Aug. 31.
With the team traveling from across the country, and many met for the first time at the Atlanta airport. That did not get in the way of working seamlessly as a strong team, and by the time they landed in Kingston, the bond was evident.
“The other volunteers were great people,” said Gabe. “Very hard working and great to get along with. We all had the same mindset of working hard and getting as many people on as quickly as possible, so we all meshed well with a common goal.”
“We are fortunate to represent a community almost 900 electric cooperatives who have a culture of supporting one another during times of crisis,” said NRECA International Senior Vice President Dan Waddle. “And this culture has extended to provide assistance to neighbors in need beyond U.S. national boundaries.”
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric Field Technician Gabe Roetman (back row, third from left) joined other electric co-op lineworkers for a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International power restoration project in Jamaica during August.
“I would volunteer again if an opportunity came up,” stated Gabe. “Both of my trips with the international program have been driven because of hurricanes in places with existing power. I would like to be involved in a project of building a power grid in a place that has never had electricity.”
“NRECA International is a great experience, and I hope other people volunteer at SWCE to partake in future projects,” wrote Gabe. “I’m very glad and thankful that SWCE board members and managers supported my efforts in this project. It means a lot to feeling valued as an employee here.”
(Supplemental information courtesy Zuraidah Hoffman, NRECA International)
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