Oklahoma electric utilities have a strong track record of preparing for many types of emergencies that could impact their abilities to generate and/or deliver power. This is especially important for Oklahoma, given the frequency of severe weather events in the state. Oklahoma utilities are constantly preparing for events and scenarios that may cause power outages as well as events that could reduce the number of employees able to report to work. The utilities must plan to ensure operations and infrastructures are properly supported. Electric power companies work together with federal, state and local governments to ensure they can respond effectively to any event.
Maintaining service reliability also means handling power outages in a variety of situations, such as when utility poles are knocked down by cars, snapped by high winds or when squirrels gnaw on power lines. When damage is more widespread due to tornadoes, high winds, flooding, ice storms, wildfires and other natural disasters, Oklahoma utilities execute emergency response plans through which they assess the damage, identify the appropriate resources and dispatch teams according to restoration priorities.
Working with electricity requires a focus on safety — public safety and safety for utility employees. It also requires extensive knowledge of engineering, physics, geography, weather, data collection and analysis, regulations, the power market and customer service.
