Owensboro Municipal Utilities (OMU) employees recently played a vital role in hurricane recovery efforts, lending a helping hand to storm-ravaged areas through mutual aid agreements, according to Sonya Dixon, OMU’s public relations and communications director.
Dixon explained that mutual aid is primarily for the electric division and allows utilities to assist one another without cumbersome paperwork.
“When a storm hits, and help is needed, a call goes out for assistance. OMU is part of the American Public Power Association (APPA), and we respond through those channels,” Dixon said.
She praised OMU’s line technicians for their willingness to step up.
“Our guys are always ready and willing to help. They understand the importance because we’ve needed help in the past, and they want to return the favor. It’s not an easy decision – they’re away from their families, working in areas without power and often without the comforts of a hotel. But they go without hesitation,” she said.
OMU technicians not only provide labor but also take the necessary equipment with them to the affected areas. “It doesn’t do any good to be there if they don’t have the trucks and tools to restore power,” Dixon added.
Beyond helping other communities, Dixon said OMU remains dedicated to its own customers. OMU celebrates October as Public Power Month, extending the typical Public Power Week to an entire month. Dixon emphasized the significance of this event, explaining that it’s OMU’s way of thanking the community.
“We’re a public utility, which means our customers—our community—pay our salaries and for the equipment we use to deliver reliable, affordable power and water,” Dixon said. “We had a fantastic volunteer team who cooked and served meals as part of our appreciation events. It’s a chance for us to connect with our customers and remind them of the importance of public power.”
OMU’s history dates back 124 years, when Owensboro residents wanted control over their water and electricity.
