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Spring couldn't get here soon enough for the team working in Field Services for the Governor's Office for Technology. This past week they had their collective hands full maintaining the Kentucky Emergency Warning System (KEWS) public safety network during the ice storm that swept Central/North Eastern Kentucky.
The network of communications towers positioned across the state had as many as 16 power failures because of the ice. Batteries at communications shelters enabled the microwave radio and associated equipment to operate, but only on a limited basis. One of GOT Field Services' main functions during severe weather is hauling generators and fuel to remote, sometimes mountainous, locations. The KEWS field staff put their vehicles to the test, using winches mounted on the front bumper to pull their 2 ton vehicles and half ton trailer power generator up mountain roads to reach the towers.
In addition to keeping the batteries charged, technicians also had to contend with ice falling off the towers as it melted. The Morehead KET transmitter building, where GOT equipment is co-located, had severe damage as chunks of ice penetrated the building. The ice also caused a service outage to the Lewis and Fleming County's towers early Friday morning. Technicians were there at daylight assessing damage. Replacement parts and a tower crew were on site as quickly as possible and communications service was restored to the Lewis and Fleming County sites.
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March 2003 |
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