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We do our best to avoid them, but there’s no way around it: power outages occasionally happen. For most Southeastern Indiana REMC members, outages are rare and only last a few hours. But when major storms, like Winter Storm Landon, impact our area, extended outages are unavoidable. So when the power goes out, how do SEIREMC crews know where to start working? How do you know if your outage has been reported? We’ve got answers to these questions and more, and it all starts with a safe, efficient plan for power restoration. When the lights go out and it’s safe for our crews to begin the restoration process, they start by repairing power lines and equipment that will restore power to the greatest number of people in the shortest time possible. This process typically begins with repairs to the larger main distribution lines that service a great number of homes and businesses. After those repairs are made, crews work on tap lines, which deliver power to transformers, either mounted on utility poles (for above-ground service) or placed on pads (for underground service). Finally, individual service lines that run between the transformer and the home are repaired. We can’t control the weather, but we can prepare for it. SEIREMC keeps a supply of extra utility poles, transformers and other equipment on hand so we can quickly get to work in the event of an outage. When widespread outages occur, multiple crews will be out in the field simultaneously working to repair damage at multiple locations. We also coordinate with nearby co-ops to bring in additional crews when necessary. A proactive approach to maintenance helps minimize the chance of prolonged outages; this is why you see SEIREMC crews periodically trimming trees and clearing vegetation near rights-of-way. We love trees too, but it only takes one overgrown limb to knock out power for an entire neighborhood. Trimming improves power reliability for our entire community. In addition to managing vegetation, we regularly inspect utility poles, power lines and other critical equipment to maintain a more reliable system. If you experience a power outage, don’t assume a neighbor reported it. It’s best to report the outage yourself, and we make it easy to do. The quickest way to report an outage is through SmartHub; you can also call our outage reporting number at (812) 689-4111 or (800) 737-4111. If you have a medical condition that requires electrical equipment, please let us know, and always have a backup plan in place. This plan could include a portable generator, extra medical supplies or moving to an alternate location until power is restored. If you plan to use a generator for backup power, read all safety information and instructions before use. Mother Nature can be unpredictable, but as a member of SEIREMC, you can feel confident knowing we’re standing by, ready to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

At Southeastern Indiana REMC, we recognize Electrical Safety Month every May, but we also know the importance of practicing safety year-round. From our co-op crews to you, the consumer-members we serve, we recognize that everyone has a part to play in prioritizing safety. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, thousands of people in the U.S. are critically injured or electrocuted as a result of electrical fires and accidents in their own homes. Many of these accidents are preventable. Electricity is a necessity, and it powers our daily lives. But we know first-hand how dangerous electricity can be because we work with it 365 days a year. We want to help keep you and all members of our community safe. That’s why you’ll see SEIREMC hosting safety demonstrations at community events and in schools throughout the year, to demonstrate the dangers of electricity. We discuss emergency scenarios, such as what to do in a car accident involving a utility pole and downed power lines. We caution students on the dangers of pad-mounted transformers and overloading circuits with too many electronic devices. Electricity is an integral part of modern life. Given the prevalence of electrical devices, tools and appliances, we’d like to pass along a few practical electrical safety tips. Frayed wires pose a serious safety hazard. Power cords can become damaged or frayed from age, heavy use or excessive current flow through the wiring. If cords become frayed or cut, replace them, as they could cause a shock when handled. Avoid overloading circuits. Circuits can only cope with a limited amount of electricity. Overload happens when you draw more electricity than a circuit can safely handle––by having too many devices running on one circuit. Label circuit breakers to understand the circuits in your home. Contact a qualified electrician if your home is more than 40 years old and you need to install multiple large appliances that consume large amounts of electricity. Use extension cords properly. Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord. If you “daisy chain” them together, it could lead to overheating, creating a potential fire hazard. Don’t exceed the wattage of the cord. Doing so also creates a risk of overloading the cord and creating a fire hazard. Extension cords should not be used as permanent solutions. If you need additional outlets, contact a licensed electrician to help. We encourage you to talk with your kids about playing it safe and smart around electricity. Help them be aware of overhead power lines near where they play outdoors. Our top priority is providing an uninterrupted energy supply 24/7, 365 days per year. But equally important is keeping our community safe around electricity. Contact SEIREMC for additional electrical safety tips or if you would like us to provide a safety demonstration at your school or upcoming community event.

Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 11. You’ve likely noticed Southeastern Indiana REMC’s crews out and about, working on power lines and other electrical equipment in our community. It’s no secret that a lineworker’s job is tough––but it’s a job that’s essential and must be done, often in challenging conditions. Here are some interesting facts about electric lineworkers. The work can be heavy, in more ways than one. Did you know the equipment and tools that a lineworker carries while climbing a utility pole can weigh up to 50 pounds? That’s the same as carrying six gallons of water. Speaking of utility poles, lineworkers are required to climb poles ranging anywhere from 30 to 120 feet tall. Needless to say, if you have a fear of heights, this likely isn’t the career path for you. Lineworkers must be committed to their career––because it’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. The long hours and ever-present danger can truly take a toll. In fact, being a lineworker is listed in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. Lineworkers often work non-traditional hours, outdoors in difficult conditions. While the job does not require a college degree, it does require technical skills, years of training and hands-on learning. Did you know that to become a journeyman lineworker can take more than 7,000 hours of training (or about four years)? That’s because working with high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills, experience and an ongoing mental toughness. Shortcuts are not an option, and there is no room for error in this line or work. Despite the many challenges, SEIREMC’s lineworkers are committed to powering our local community. During severe weather events that bring major power outages, lineworkers are among the first ones called. They must be ready to leave the comfort of their home and families unexpectedly, and they don’t return until the job is done, often days later. That’s why the lineworker’s family is also dedicated to service. They understand the importance of the job to the community. Nationwide, there are approximately 120,000 electric lineworkers. Here in southeastern Indiana, SEIREMC has 25 lineworkers that are responsible for keeping power flowing 24/7, 365 days a year. To do this, they maintain 3,244 miles of power lines across seven counties. In addition to the highly visible tasks lineworkers perform, their job today goes far beyond climbing utility poles to repair a wire. Today’s lineworkers are information experts who can pinpoint power outages from miles away. Line crews now use laptops, tablets, drones and other technologies to map outages, survey damage and troubleshoot problems. Being a lineworker may not seem like a glamorous job, but it is absolutely essential to the life of our community. Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking men and women, we simply would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life. So, the next time you see a lineworker, please thank them for the work they do to keep power flowing, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Afterall, lineworkers are the power behind your power. Please join us as we recognize them on April 11, and follow “#ThankALineworker” on social media to see how others are recognizing lineworkers.

Give line crews lots of room: It’s the law Spring has arrived with its profusion of color: whites and pinks … and orange — as in the orange of work zones. The National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 11-15 to remind motorists to be careful around those men and women whose jobs put them along the roadways and into harm’s way. But not all work zones are for road repair. Indiana’s electric cooperatives note utility crews also work along the roadsides to build, repair and maintain the highway of electric power lines. Sometimes, crews can be around the next corner or just over the hill — day or night. “While routine line work is done during daylight hours, emergencies happen at any time,” said Brandon Linville, Director of Operations at Southeastern Indiana REMC. “We want to remind motorists our crews can be out working at all hours. Please be careful when you see warning signs and flaggers.” When motorists see the orange diamond-shaped work zone warning signs and vehicles with the flashing amber lights, they should slow down and prepare for the zone ahead. Indiana law requires motorists to approach cautiously and change lanes away from the emergency vehicles if they can do so safely. If not, they should reduce their speed to 10 mph under the posted speed limit and proceed with caution. Motorists should not stop in the roadway; this may cause a chain reaction rear-end collision with other vehicles. Emergency vehicles protected by the law include: Police vehicles Ambulances Fire trucks and rescue equipment Highway incident-response vehicles Highway maintenance vehicles Utility service vehicles Tow trucks Violating the law can result in a fine and a suspended license. Steeper penalties, including jail time, are enforced for infractions within highway work zones. Though move-over laws are only for emergency vehicles, drivers should always be courteous to those parked on the shoulder. Give them room to safely repair their vehicles and help prevent tragedies. “Working on energized power lines at all hours and in all kinds of weather is dangerous enough for lineworkers,” added Brandon Linville. “Please don’t make it more dangerous by speeding so closely by them.” Sources: Indiana State Police, Workzonesafety.org, moveoverlaws.com Slow down driving through work zones — it’s the law! The Indiana Work Zone Safety Law sets steep penalties for driving infractions within highway work zones. Here are the consequences if you’re caught breaking the law: First time citations for speeding in a work zone result in a $300 fine. The fine increases to $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense within three years. Motorists who drive recklessly or aggressively through a work zone face fines up to $5,000. Drivers who injure or kill a highway worker may end up paying a $10,000 fine and serving up to six years behind bars. Source: www.in.gov Tips for driving safely in work zones Pay attention and expect the unexpected. Work zone configurations can change without notice. Don’t text or talk on the phone and avoid taking your hands off the wheel. Watch for speed limit reductions, narrowing lanes, changing traffic patterns, and – most importantly – highway workers. Respect the posted speed limits and safely merge as soon and as safely possible. This will allow traffic to flow smoothly. Keep in mind: driving 45 mph, instead of 55 mph, through a 5-mile work zone will only add 1.2 minutes to your trip. Speeding and aggressive driving are major causes of work zone crashes. Keep a safe distance on all sides of your vehicle, and maintain a safe following distance. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of work zone crash. Respect the flaggers and obey their guidance. Be patient when driving through work sites with flagger control. Pay attention to the road signs. Those signs are carefully selected to give drivers accurate information and important warnings. Expect delays and allow extra travel time to travel through work zones. Select alternate routes if possible to avoid the work zone completely.

Spring into safety on the farm Planting season is here for many of the state’s roughly 94,000 farmers. While you prepare to plant the crops that help feed the world, Southeastern Indiana REMC reminds you to keep safety in mind — especially when working around electricity. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 62 farm workers are electrocuted each year in the U.S. “Farm worker deaths and injuries can be prevented by practicing some simple electrical safety measures around farm,” said Brandon Linville, Director of Operations, Southeastern Indiana REMC. Here are some helpful safety tips to keep in mind: Make sure farm equipment like planter arms and sprayers safely clear overhead power lines. This tall equipment can easily become entangled in power lines and pose an electrocution risk. Keep a minimum of a 10-foot distance from power lines in all directions. Consider asking your electric cooperative to move overhead lines around buildings or frequently used pathways. It's also a good idea to re-check any field access points for proper clearance before entering in case something has changed since the last time you were in a field. Keep a safe distance from power poles and guy wires when working the land or planting crops. Contact 911 immediately if your equipment comes into contact with a guy wire or power pole. Do not try to fix it yourself. If your farm equipment comes in contact with power lines, call 911 immediately. Keep others away and remain calm. DO NOT try to exit the equipment or touch someone who has had electrical contact. If you must exit the equipment for life-threatening reasons such as fire, jump out and away from the equipment and make sure to land with your feet together and touching. Then, shuffle at least three tractor lengths away with your feet touching. NEVER attempt to get back into or touch equipment that is in contact with a power line. Make sure full-time and seasonal farm workers are educated to stay safe on the farm. Each worker should be aware of the dangers and use proper safety procedures. Southeastern Indiana REMC stresses the importance of staying safe around electricity this planting season. It could save a life. SOURCES: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Virginia Cooperative Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture Spring into farm electrical safety: Know what to do if electrical contact occurs With farmers returning to the field for planting season, Southeastern Indiana REMC offers reminders about the dangers of power lines. If you’re inside the equipment when it comes in contact with a downed power line: If you can, drive safely away from the downed power line and the source of electricity. Travel at least three tractor lengths, or about 40 feet, before stopping. If you can’t drive or you are injured, it’s best to stay where you are until help arrives. If you must get out of the equipment because of a life-threatening reason, don’t touch the equipment and the ground at the same time with any part of your body or clothing. With the door open, prepare to jump. Stand up, elbows tucked into your stomach and your hands held close to your chest. Jump out and away from the equipment, taking care to land with your feet together and touching. Don’t stumble. Shuffle away with your feet touching each other and the ground. Don’t stop until you’re at least three tractor lengths away from the equipment. Call 911 and ensure no bystanders come within 40 feet of equipment. Once away from the equipment, never attempt to get back on or even touch the equipment. If you’re outside the equipment when you notice a farmer who comes in contact with a downed power line: Stay at least three tractor lengths away. Tell the person on the equipment to stay where he or she is. Call 911 and ensure no bystander moves within 40 feet of the equipment. Helpful tips to stay safe on the farm this spring Farms can be the perfect arena for an electrical accident. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 62 farm workers are electrocuted each year in the U.S. Here are helpful safety tips: Make sure to keep equipment 10 feet clear of overhead power lines in all directions. Install waterproof and dustproof electrical boxes and outlets on the farm. Keep equipment a safe distance from power poles and guy wires. Educate farm workers on the dangers of electricity and proper safety procedures.

Chris Chastain RushShelby Energy President and CEO Cooperatives are a special, special place Chris Chastain’s first experience with an electric cooperative was as a “fuzzy” — a nickname the linemen and outdoor crews gave to college kids hired as summer interns. “I suppose that probably derived from the peach fuzz still on our faces,” Chastain says. But, what the Rose-Hulman electrical engineering student saw at his hometown electric cooperative during the summers from 1994-96 impressed him so much he knew he wanted to build a career somewhere like that. Now, almost 30 years later, the Rush County native not only works at his hometown electric cooperative, as of October 2021, he’s been its president and CEO. “Cooperatives are a special, special place,” he said. “Sometimes, people take their jobs or their careers for granted. But once you can get inside a cooperative, you sense the well-defined purpose. That’s to serve our membership and to serve each other.” After graduating with his engineering degree in 1997, Chastain found no immediate job openings at any of the state’s cooperatives. So, he considered two offers: one with an Indianapolis engineering consulting firm; the other with the electric utility serving Chicago. “As I looked at those two jobs, one of the biggest decision points was trying to get back into the cooperatives.” He chose the smaller Indianapolis consulting firm over the Chicago utility. “I never really knew if that would get me back home, but I thought it would keep me closer to the cooperative world, which I really enjoyed.” After a year at the consulting firm, he moved to the engineering staff of a municipal electric utility in central Indiana. A municipal utility is owned by the city it serves. “I quickly learned the municipal was not the same as a cooperative,” Chastain noted. “When Harrison REMC started looking for a system engineer, it was a no-brainer to look down there and get back into the REMC world.” Chastain spent seven years at the southern Indiana cooperative. When a new position, vice president of engineering, was created at his hometown RushShelby Energy, he applied. He and his wife wanted to move home to be closer to their children’s grandparents. “Knowing everyone here helped me a little bit,” he admits. What’s more, Chastain says several current cooperative employees all began as he did — as college fuzzies. “It's neat to look at our organization and see how many people started that way. That's where we all got our start within the organization and it says a lot about the cooperative.” CAREER SUMMARY Chris Chastain’s first experience with an electric cooperative came during his first college summer break, working trenching equipment, but it exposed him to the work environment he wanted to be a part of. Nearly 30 years later, after a career working for two REMCs, he was selected as the CEO of his hometown co-op where it all began. TIMELINE 1994 – Interned at RushShelby Energy 1999 – Hired at Harrison County REMC as system engineer. Planned and designed new construction and upgrades of electrical distribution system and problem-solved to meet the needs of residential, business, agricultural and industrial consumers. 2006 — Hired at RushShelby Energy as vice president of engineering. Oversaw engineering department; planned and designed upgrades, new construction and maintenance of the distribution system to ensure consumers received quality, reliable electric service. 2021 — Promoted to president and chief executive officer. Responsible for overseeing electric cooperative and its departments.

Utility poles remain the backbone of most electric distribution systems. After more than 80 years since electric cooperatives first set them throughout rural Indiana, they remain the most cost-effective way to safely support power lines, insulators, transformers and other electric hardware. Occasionally, either through a vehicle strike, lightning strike, ice storm, tornado, or simply age, a pole needs to be replaced. And while every electric cooperative has thousands of poles throughout its system, each pole replacement is different. It’s much more than just digging a hole and sliding a new pole in the ground. The work is done methodically and, even in the best scenarios and weather conditions, might take several hours. One of the most common reasons for a broken pole and an unexpected power outage is a vehicle strike. Here’s a step-by-step description of what typically goes into a pole replacement so that consumers on the “dark side” of the damaged pole can better understand why the power outage affecting them might be taking longer than they would think. Assess the situation. The cooperative is notified of a broken pole. This can come from the cooperative's own monitoring system, sheriff's department or consumers. Lineworkers will visit the pole and assess the damage. This may take 30 minutes to an hour depending on the location and if the notification comes outside of normal business hours. Secure the scene and call in a crew. If the pole needs to be replaced, the lineworkers on the scene will first make sure the scene is safe. They'll de-energize the line following established safety procedures. Next, they will call for a crew of three to four others to come with a bucket truck and a digger truck. In many cases, resetting or replacing a pole also requires calling into 811 – the Indiana “call before you dig” service – before crews can dig new holes. This is required to locate other buried utilities along the right-of-way and can add time to the restoration. Obtain supplies and tools. The original responding lineworkers will work on what can be done until the additional crews arrive with a new pole and replacement equipment. Depending on the weather and the proximity of the broken pole to the replacement pole and equipment, this may take 1-2 hours. Replace the damaged pole. When all crew members are present, they begin setting a new pole and will work to safely restore power to consumers as quickly as possible. This includes removing equipment from the broken pole and attaching the necessary equipment to the new pole. Depending on the location, the equipment needed on each pole will vary. Poles are generally buried around 6 feet in the ground. The buried part of the broken pole is usually pulled out with the hydraulic lift on a truck. Sometimes it’s necessary to dig a new hole. Dirt is backfilled and tamped down with hydraulic equipment. The power lines are then lifted back into place and mounted on the new insulators. Once all is back in place, the protective gear is removed and an all-clear is given, the power is turned back on. Sometimes it’s possible during the pole replacement process to redirect power to those affected by the outage. It is the goal of the electric cooperative to safely retore power to as many consumers as quickly as possible. The average pole replacement could take up to 3-4 hours under favorable conditions with no mitigating circumstances – or longer if unforeseen circumstances slow the crew down.

The 2022 session of the Indiana General Assembly wrapped up the second week of the second half. Check out this week's update. Each week, we'll give you an inside look at what happened at the Statehouse the previous week and how legislative actions can impact your local electric cooperative.

The 2022 session of the Indiana General Assembly concluded late in the evening on Tuesday, March 8th. Check out the final update:

On Friday, February 18, 2022, Southeastern Indiana REMC’s 1,000th SEI Fiber subscriber was connected. It was a close race, as CSR’s anxiously watched the completed connection information come in from the installation crews. Barbara A. Stein-Roche of Butlerville was connected at 9:51 a.m., closely followed by Steve Patrick of Holton who was connected at 10:06 a.m. Upon learning that she was the 1,000th connected subscriber, Stein-Roche expressed her gratitude for all that the REMC has done to bring fiber to her rural area. “Everyone I have worked with throughout the process has been wonderful,” said Stein-Roche. “The crews did a great job with the installation and I am very pleased with the service.” The fiber project is moving at a fast pace, with 27 crews working on main line and drop construction. Installation crews are connecting approximately 50 subscribers per week, with a goal of increasing that number to 100 subscribers connected per week in the near future. Many subscribers have expressed their pleasure at being able to work from home, complete e-learning for school, connect multiple devices simultaneously, stream movies, participate in online gaming, and upload and download information quickly. Stein-Roche was quick to point out that the equipment inside her home was unobtrusive and didn’t take away from her home decor. “Being able to stream my church services without the buffering is very nice, too” added Stein. For more information about SEI Fiber, visit https://www.seiremc.com/seifiber.

Have you ever noticed your lights blink during a thunderstorm? Or perhaps you’ve noticed a blinking microwave clock when you arrive home. When this happens, you’ve likely experienced a brief disruption to your electric service which could result from a power surge or blink. While the symptoms of surges and blinks can appear similar, what’s happening behind the scenes can be quite different. What is a power surge? Power surges are brief overvoltage spikes or disturbances of a power waveform that can damage, degrade or destroy electronic equipment within your home or business. Most electronics are designed to handle small variations in voltage; however, power surges can reach amplitudes of tens of thousands of volts — this can be extremely damaging to your electronic equipment. Surges can be caused by internal sources, like HVAC systems with variable frequency drives, or external sources, like lightning and damage to power lines and transformers. Southeastern Indiana REMC encourages all members to install surge protective devices (such as surge protector power strips) to safeguard your sensitive electronics. If you’re experiencing frequent surges in your home or business and you believe the cause is internal, contact a qualified electrician to inspect your electrical system. What’s a power blink? Power blinks are also brief service interruptions, but they’re typically caused by a fault (short circuit) on a power line or a protective device that’s working in reaction to the fault. Faults can occur through a variety of instances, like squirrels, birds or other small animals contacting an energized power line; tree branches touching a power line; or lightning and other similar events. In fact, when it comes to power disruptions caused by critters, squirrels reign supreme. In 2019 alone, squirrels were responsible for more than 1,200 outages. Any of the events noted above can cause your power to blink, but you may also experience a brief interruption when protective devices that act like circuit breakers are working to detect the fault. Believe it or not, these brief power blinks caused by protective devices are actually good because that means the equipment is working as it should to prevent a prolonged outage. Regardless of the cause, Southeastern Indiana REMC crews will be on their way to inspect the damage and make necessary repairs after a power outage. And you can help too! Any time you experience repeated disruptions to your electric service, please let us know by calling 800-737-4111 or through the SmartHub app.

Powering up: Electric service is restored methodically to maintain safety When we lose electric service, we have come to expect it will be restored in a short time. But when a devastating storm causes major damage over a widespread area, longer outages cannot be helped. It involves much more than flipping a switch at a substation or pulling a fallen tree off a downed power line. Your local line crews work around the clock resetting poles and rebuilding miles of line. Sometimes, it requires extra hands of highly trained workers from electric cooperatives in neighboring counties, other parts of Indiana, and even from neighboring states coordinated by specialists from Indiana Electric Cooperatives to come to the aid of your local crews who all work together. In many cases, resetting or replacing fallen and broken poles also requires calling into 811 — the Indiana “Call before you dig” service — before crews can dig new holes. This is required to locate other buried utilities along the right-of-way and can add time to the restoration. “Line crews work long, hard hours to rebuild poles and lines to restore service after major storms,” said Brandon Linville, Director of Operations at Southeastern Indiana REMC, “but it’s an arduous task that needs to be done methodically to be done safely.” Every electric cooperative follows a basic principle when it comes to restoring power: priority is given to the lines that get the most back in service the quickest. Here’s a basic order of repair: Transmission lines. These high voltage lines carry electricity from generating plants to substations (or between substations). Since tens of thousands of people could be served by one transmission line, damage here needs to be taken care of first. Substations. These electrical facilities contain equipment that switch or regulate the voltage of electricity. They lower the voltage from the transmission lines so the electricity can be transmitted through the distribution lines. Problems here can affect thousands of consumers. Main distribution lines. You see these along roadways. They carry electricity from the substations to groups of consumers, like towns or housing developments. Tap lines. These lines run from the main distribution lines to utility poles and underground transformers outside houses or buildings. Individual service. These lines run from the transformer on the pole along the road or street or underground box to the consumer’s electric meter on the side of the home or business. Even after a major storm, report an outage to your electric cooperative. This will help line crews assess the extent of the damage and isolate and repair problems as soon as possible. Let the crews work After a major storm with widespread damage and longer-than-usual power outages, it may be tempting to question your co-op’s line workers about the damage and check out what they are doing when you see them at work on the side of a road. “For safety’s sake, the best thing for you to do when you see crews working is to let them do their jobs, without distractions,” said Brandon Linville, Director of Operations, at Southeastern Indiana REMC. “Line personnel wear protective gear and are equipped and trained to be on site to restore power. It is dangerous for others to be milling around when we’re repairing lines.” That advice also pertains to owners of property on which cooperative employees may be restoring power. And while you may be curious or even want to be helpful and friendly, safe linework requires full focus and attention. “Safety is always first priority for us — your safety and our safety,” said Linville. “Power restoration is a serious and unforgiving process that is best handled without bystanders. That way, we can get the power back on as quickly — and safely — as possible.” Keep your co-op informed and stay informed during outages Power restoration can be a tricky business, so if you lose service in your home or neighborhood please remember the following: Report the outage to your electric cooperative as soon as possible. Make sure your cooperative knows if loss of power affects life support systems or could cause any additional threat to health and safety. While you should let your co-op know this during an outage, inform your co-op whenever life support equipment dependent on electricity is brought into your home so it can keep this information with your file. For updated information on outages, stay connected to Southeastern Indiana REMC on social media.