Friday, May 21, 2010 3:45PM EST

Wauchula, Florida, Friday, May 21, 2010 –The month of June brings family vacations, walks on the beach, and the beginning of hurricane season. Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO), headquartered in Wauchula, FL, recently conducted its annual hurricane exercise involving employees from every department.

The daylong drill, presented by consulting firm Surf Technologies of Atlanta, involved a scenario bringing a major hurricane across the heart of PRECO’s service area, entering Manatee County on the west and exiting near Brevard County on the east. Employees were expected to role play their preparations for the storm beginning one week out from landfall through final power restoration and clean-up duties.

Employees, many seasoned by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne in 2004, tackling each phase of PRECO’s hurricane plan, worked through simulated hurdles such as blocked roads, safety issues, materials management and loss of communications. A handful of PRECO board members and key vendors also joined the exercise.

“The exercise was a complete success,” shares Jerry Twiggs, Chief Engineer and Emergency Response Manager. “Departments worked together to resolve problems and restore power as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

The strength of PRECO’s hurricane plan was tested during Florida’s unprecedented 2004 hurricane season and passed with flying colors. “We continue to test our plan each year and refine it as new technologies and ideas emerge,” added Twiggs. “To add to the strength of our response, we have the availability of hundreds of line workers and support staff from our 900 sister electric cooperatives all over the country.”

PRECO strongly encourages its nearly 35,000 member/consumers to take hurricane preparation seriously by forming their own hurricane plan, including an emergency food and supply kit. Members are also encouraged to verify and update personal contact numbers with the cooperative. This can save time in locating where storm-affected outages are located and speed power restoration.

For their own personal safety and that of line workers, individuals with emergency backup generators should check with a licensed electrician before hooking up a whole house system.

Twiggs adds, “Our goal is to protect lives and restore power as fast as possible in the event of a hurricane. You can help by ensuring that your generator is properly wired.”

About Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO):

Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO), a Touchstone Energy® distribution electric cooperative headquartered in Wauchula, Florida, provides electric service and energy solutions to nearly 35,000 member/consumers in 10 Florida counties in central Florida: Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Osceola, Polk and Sarasota Counties. Through almost 4,000 miles of power lines, the electric cooperative has been in business since 1940 as a member-owned, not-for-profit organization.

About Surf Technologies, Inc.:

Surf Technologies, Inc. is a leader in management and technology consulting, develops strategies and implements business solutions for clients that include Fortune 100 and early stage start-up companies in various industries around the globe. Surf Technologies' business continuity & crisis management practice has been aiding electric utilities across the country to prepare for the unknown. Surf Technologies for the future of your business.