CMP sending crews to help post-ice storm Pennsylvania

Back in December, utility crews from as far away as Pennsylvania came to Maine to help out after the ice storm. Now Central Maine Power is returning the favor.

CMP said it’s sending 25 two-man line crews along with support personnel and equipment to southeastern Pennsylvania to help out Philadelphia Electric Co.

A dozen CMP supervisors, safety specialists, mechanics, and logistics specialists are part of the team, which departed Thursday morning.

Freezing rain caused ice buildup that downed tree limbs and power lines. All told, about 750,000 customers were in the dark on Wednesday.

LePage announces choice to head emergency agency

Gov. Paul LePage announced Thursday that he has selected Bruce Fitzgerald of South China to serve as the director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

“Bruce has distinguished himself as an expert in the emergency management field through his many years at MEMA, and I am pleased to nominate him as the director,” LePage said in a news release. “He is the right man to manage the agency in times of emergency.”

Fitzgerald has served as acting director of the agency since Robert McAleer retired in November.

Fitzgerald joined the MEMA staff in 2003 and has served the agency through numerous state emergencies, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005; the St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day and Patriots Day storms in 2007; and, more recently, during Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. He holds a degree in political science from the University of Maine.

The appointment is awaiting approval of the Maine Senate.

 

– From staff and news services

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