Buffalo October 2006 Storm Gallery - Page 8

The National Grid command center for utility trucks is at the Adamsmark hotel in Downtown Buffalo during the storm repairs. Many of them are coming in from out of town to help get Western New York state restore power. About 220 thousand people still do not have power, but out of town crews say they are happy to be here and will be here until the job is done.

Bill Wittenburg came into town just last night to help get Buffalo back up and running. The Long Island Utility worker is tickled by the reception he and his fellow workers are receiving. "We are treated like rock stars. Everyone is clapping." He puts on a movie announcer's voice. "Hopefully we will come to your neighborhood soon!" (Note in other cities during a power emergency, utility trucks are looted, & the workers get their pockets picked or are mugged).

This is the first day for this group, and it will last 16 hours. They got ready to go just after 5 this morning. Francis Renner is from Brooklyn. For him, it's just part of the job. "We have been to Louisiana, Florida helping people. This is what we do for a living."

The trucks rolled out just after 7 Monday morning to a elevtric substation. Other crews who have been in Western New York longer are already at work restoring electricity. On Florida Street in the city, people were finally getting their power back, and it's crews from York, Pennsylvania getting it done.

" It will bring a lot of relief" says resident Michael Lasner. "I am living with my father here and he is elderly. I am trying to take care of him, and it is not easy without electricity." The gratitude is what makes it worth it for Steve Wallace with the York, PA crew. "I like storm work for that reason: to make guys like him happy and get him back in power."