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Mutual Aid Procedures

We suggest you print out this page and keep accesible as internet service is not always available during major electrical service interruptions.

In the event of electric service interruptions caused by storms, floods, hurricanes and other emergencies, a consumer-owned electric utility may need to call upon another public power system for emergency assistance in the form of personnel and/or equipment to restore electric service.  While no utility is obligated to provide such emergency assistance, experience has shown that assistance is furnished whenever it is available.
Outlined below are principles and procedures upon which emergency aid agreements between New England’s consumer-owned utilities should be based, followed by implementation instructions.

1. Emergency assistance by a responding utility in lending employees and/or equipment to a requesting utility begins with the transportation of employees and/or equipment back to the responding utility is completed.
2. Employees of the responding utility shall at all times during the giving of emergency aid continue to be employees of the responding utility. They shall at no time or for no purpose be deemed employees of the requesting utility and shall work under the existing agreements.
3. The requesting utility shall reimburse the responding utility for:

        • Wages as set forth in the responding utility’s agreements.
        • Food and lodging costs not provided by requesting utiliy
        • Special transportation expenses to and from the requesting utility site, as mutually agreed upon by the parties prior to implementation.
        • Materials supplied by the responding utility for onsite use by the requesting utility
4. The responding utility shall not be reimbursed by the requesting utility for
        • Basic truck and equipment costs
        • Administrative and general expenses.
5. The requesting utility shall be prepared to furnish personnel of the responding utility with the following:
      • Meals at reasonable intervals, hot if possible
      • Suitable lodging.
      • All gas and oil expenses, minor vehicle and equipment repair costs.
      • Personal expenses (i.e. laundry, communication costs, etc.), but only when previously agreed to by requesting and responding utilities.
Certain conditions may prevent the requesting utility from meeting the above expectations. The responding utility should be advised by the requesting utility if the accommodations listed are of a questionable nature.
6. The requesting utility must make clear the type and amount of equipment and crews needed as well as the length of time they will be utilized.
7. The requesting utility must provide accurate directions to where responding utility crews should report for assignment, and the name and position of the person to whom they will report.
8. The requesting utility must supply each crew of the responding utility with an assistant who is familiar with the requesting utility’s electrical and road systems, and can provide direct access to the requesting utility’s communication system.
9. The requesting utility should have available a description of its system operational plan and provide other information that may be of direct value to the responding utility crews, such as:
        • System Voltage
        • Number of Substations
        • Switching Configuration
        • General Operating Procedures
        • Location of Stock Room
        • Location of General Office
        • Communication System
        • Work Rules During Emergencies

10. The responding utility’s personnel will maintain all time sheets and work records pertaining to the loaned employees.
11. All invoices shall be issued and payments made within a reasonable time.
12. The requesting utility shall employ professional operating procedures and assure that all responding utility personnel and equipment are used effectively.  Further, when emergency needs are met, responding utility crews should be released immediately.