By Dr. Natasha J. Gittens, Ph.D., CHE, CHT
Bad things do happen in the world, like war, natural disasters and disease. But out of those situations always arise stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. –Daryn Kagan
This week, we focus on NV GEBE from a different perspective, one that highlights its role and commitment to the community during one of our lowest points, the storm referred to as the Brobdingnagian, the invidious Hurricane Irma.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017, was a day that impelled all of us to see life a bit differently. A moment to passionately reflect on how in an instant, an island that we viewed as vividus was propelled into a state of fear, placing the country (us) in colossal survival mode.
The question that will take precedence in this section is: What did NV GEBE do to support us – the community, the people, the country pre- and post-Hurricane Irma?
I had a process of thinking that persisted: “Was it fair to only focus on what an organisation is ‘not’ doing well or is it imperative to be fair and equitable and also showcase what they ‘did’ well?”
During my research, I gained access to a report titled, “GEBE report hurricanes Irma-Jose-Maria September 6, 2019.”
It stated: “On Wednesday, September 6, Irma, a hurricane of category 5, passed over Sint Maarten, leaving the island in a state of devastation. The Gemeenschappelijke Elektriciteitsbedrijf Bovenwindse Eilanden, NV GEBE, has not been spared and is presently assessing the total damage while simultaneously working 24/7 to restore electricity- and water-supply to the consumers.”
The question persisted, “What had NV GEBE learned since the passing of Hurricane Luis in 1995?” “Irma raged almost to the exact day of the passing of Hurricane Luis in 1995 and the lessons learned in 1995 and investments made following Luis paid off today, as 95% of the high-tension grid, transmitting electricity to the different areas is underground and approximately 80% of the low voltage grid supplying electricity to the consumers is also ‘cabled’.”
What was the “actual” protocol, the plan when disaster struck? I uncovered that the organisation had a Hurricane Disaster Committee, inclusive of all key departments within the organisation.
The report: “A meeting is held at the start of the hurricane season with the Managing Board (MB), the Executive Management Team (EMT) and the Disaster Committee to ensure that all departments are prepared in case of a disaster. Each department will be asked to submit their individual plans in order for the comprehensive GEBE disaster plan to be adjusted.”
I understood the importance of the committee, but “What actions did NV GEBE take once the disaster hit?”
When the path of Hurricane Irma was predicted to pass over St. Maarten, the EMT had two meetings, one on Friday, September 1, and another on Monday, September 4, in preparation for the hurricane. The individual departments met in separate meetings on Tuesday, September 5.
Approximately 120 hurricane passes were printed and issued to personnel to authorise their presence on the roads immediately after the hurricane.
On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, employees and leadership planned an immediate emergency meeting. Many had lost their homes and suffered severe water damage to their cars. Quite a few were plagued with painful injuries; some homeless and needing emergency housing.
Employees met each other on the streets, went to each other’s homes, the word that NV GEBE needed to rise to an astronomical level riveted. They stood in the parking lot like determined fractured soldiers, at attention to achieve one objective – “get the island, their country St. Maarten, back to normality.”
The report: “Crews immediately dispatched according to the pre-determined plan of the disaster committee.
* The Electricians reconnected the generator and ensured that the management building was operational. This building became the post hurricane command central.
* ICT secured the server and worked on getting it operational.
* Customer Service personnel joined existing crews where necessary as their station was not yet set up.
* The Security personnel commenced a 24-hour patrol of all NV GEBE locations and facilities, including water tanks, until they were assisted late Thursday evening, September 7, by hired security guards in some areas.
* The Metering Department set up work space in order to start registering and processing broken meters
* The Facilities Department started covering the buildings; covering the area of the server in the damaged main building and the distribution building.
* The distribution crews were formed for both electrical and water restoration and were dispatched per district. Non-technical employees joined the distribution crews. Coordination efforts were hampered as there was still no radio communication or mobile phones working.
* At the Power Plant, there was a continuous shift that worked for just under 48 hours. Their contingency entailed stocked food stuff and water in the control room – this in anticipation of the first shift to release them not being able to make it in, due to their personal damage at home. The power plant ran up to about 6:00am that morning of Irma, with limited power feeding certain areas.
* The Power Plant made sure all fuel tanks, lubricating tanks were filled and emergency items were stocked – flashlights, plastic, rubber boots, batteries, etc.
NV GEBE had to supply electricity and water not only to homes, but to locations that were in desperate need.
During the Government EOC meeting on Wednesday, September 6, which was attended by the COO, NV GEBE was requested to restore power to the Hospital and if possible to also restore water and power to the Asha Stevens and NIPA schools which were designated as a marine headquarter and a shelter. The fire department also needed to have electricity and water.
* Water trucks were called in via the PR department on the radio station and the security department drove to the various water truck operators to see who was available to assist in order to take water into the districts.
* Three main water distribution points were created in Phillipsburg, Dutch Quarter and Madame Estate; this was a plus as the community had drinking water of the highest quality, thanks to VSA for their support.
How did NV GEBE address the destruction of the Power Plant?
The Power Plant in Cay Bay was assessed. The buildings that housed the engines were severely damaged. This made it irresponsible to start the engines that were not covered. The Managing Board started the process of getting material to cover the Power Plant on Thursday, September 7.
NV GEBE managed to get zinc locally in order to close two buildings shortly after enabling the start-up of the engines in those buildings. With one engine in operation, power was restored to three districts within about 48 hours, namely St. John’s, Ebenezer and Belvedere. These areas had the least damaged homes and full underground cabling.
I pondered how I should end this segment until, in a letter addressed to the St. Maarten community Post Irma, I read “Words from the CEO” by CEO Kenrick Chittick.
“We are now just two days short of one year later and we are still in deep recovery mode. But like the trees that suffered and bloom today, NV GEBE will be the same. The days of recovery will be lengthy but steadfast. The Managing Board is in constant discussions with stakeholders and working towards ensuring even the smallest progress of the company.”
We will discuss NV GEBE’s plans for the future in Part IV, the final section.
