Outages
Contact Farmers Electric Cooperative during an outage when:
To report a power outage call 683-2510. Calls are answered 24 hours a day.
Outage calls after regular business hours or during extensive outages will be answered by our answering service. This service is offsite and relies on accurate information so be sure that we have your current home and/or cell phone number on file with your account information.
What-Happens-During-An-Outage.pdf
View major outage information by county on the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives outage map.
Storm Safety Tips
Safe use of portable generators
If you have or are considering purchasing a standby electricity generator, remember that it is vital to follow proper procedures. If used incorrectly, a standby generator can cause serious harm or even death. Here are some important things to know. Generators can produce power to a home's 120/240-volt service. However, if a generator is not properly installed, the “backfeed” will result in an output of 7,200 volts on the distribution line -- much higher than what it should carry. As a result, a line crew working on the system would be put in danger. For everyone's sake -- yours, the Cooperative and its line crews -- generators need to be isolated from the electric power lines. This means you should connect appliances or other devices directly to the generator with the appropriate-sized cords. You should also install a double-throw switch on your generator to separate your service from the Cooperative's system.
Contact Farmers Electric Cooperative during an outage when:
- Your entire property is without power
- You can’t restore power by replacing a fuse or switching the circuit breaker
- You see a downed power line or damaged utility equipment.
To report a power outage call 683-2510. Calls are answered 24 hours a day.
Outage calls after regular business hours or during extensive outages will be answered by our answering service. This service is offsite and relies on accurate information so be sure that we have your current home and/or cell phone number on file with your account information.
What-Happens-During-An-Outage.pdf
View major outage information by county on the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives outage map.
Storm Safety Tips
- Have emergency numbers, including Farmers Electric Cooperatives, posted by the phone and always have a corded or cellular phone in your home. Cordless phones will not work during a power outage.
- Keep a battery operated flashlight, radio, clock, and extra batteries on hand.
- Disconnect electronic equipment and as many appliances as possible. This will prevent damage from a power surge that may occur during power restoration.
Safe use of portable generators
If you have or are considering purchasing a standby electricity generator, remember that it is vital to follow proper procedures. If used incorrectly, a standby generator can cause serious harm or even death. Here are some important things to know. Generators can produce power to a home's 120/240-volt service. However, if a generator is not properly installed, the “backfeed” will result in an output of 7,200 volts on the distribution line -- much higher than what it should carry. As a result, a line crew working on the system would be put in danger. For everyone's sake -- yours, the Cooperative and its line crews -- generators need to be isolated from the electric power lines. This means you should connect appliances or other devices directly to the generator with the appropriate-sized cords. You should also install a double-throw switch on your generator to separate your service from the Cooperative's system.
Call 811 at least 48 hours before you dig.
This free locating service will help ensure your safety and prevent disruption of electrical or other utility services.
When to Use Iowa One Call:Anytime you plant to excavate. This includes:
- Putting up a fence or clothes line
- Pounding stakes or posts into the ground
- Planting trees or shrubs
- Building a patio, home addition, deck or foundation
- Replacing or putting in a new driveway or sidewalk
- Terracing or landscaping
- Installing a septic system or water drainage system
- While normal residential gardening does not require prior notification, notify Iowa One Call before installing a new garden or using power equipment such as garden tillers.
When you call 811, your underground electric facilities will be marked with paint and/or flags. Placing this call also notifies other utilities that may have buried services on your property. Iowa law applies to professional contractors as well as homeowners.
Never assume the location or depth of underground utility lines. If you hit an underground utility line while digging, you can harm yourself, disrupt service, and potentially be responsible for fines and repair costs.
To request a locate call 811 or visit www.iowaonecall.com to start an online locate request.
RESAP
In 2015 Farmers Electric Cooperative completed all the requirements and received RESAP certification
The Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP), is a service of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and strives to promote the highest standards of safety among electric cooperatives.
The premise for this program is based on two fundamental guiding principles that are essential to achieving safety excellence:
1. Safety must be embraced as a core value where the actions and decisions of the cooperative reflect a fundamental and unwavering commitment to safety at all levels of the cooperative. This is achieved through a strong safety leadership culture. Cooperative leaders accept responsibility for a culture that ultimately drives safety performance.
2. Cooperative leaders and employees take ownership of the systems and processes that create a safe working environment. Safety systems are a shared responsibility and should focus on enhancing safe behaviors and reducing unsafe acts and risks to injury.
In 2015 Farmers Electric Cooperative completed all the requirements and received RESAP certification
The Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP), is a service of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and strives to promote the highest standards of safety among electric cooperatives.
The premise for this program is based on two fundamental guiding principles that are essential to achieving safety excellence:
1. Safety must be embraced as a core value where the actions and decisions of the cooperative reflect a fundamental and unwavering commitment to safety at all levels of the cooperative. This is achieved through a strong safety leadership culture. Cooperative leaders accept responsibility for a culture that ultimately drives safety performance.
2. Cooperative leaders and employees take ownership of the systems and processes that create a safe working environment. Safety systems are a shared responsibility and should focus on enhancing safe behaviors and reducing unsafe acts and risks to injury.
KEY ACTIVITIES OF RESAP
Annually:
– Performance Measures of Key OSHA Data submitted to NRECA
– Safety Improvement Plan prepared by cooperative and status submitted to NRECA
Every three years:
– CEO Leadership Commitment submitted to NRECA
– Safety Application document submitted to NRECA
– Verification Documents compiled for review by Onsite Observation Team
– Onsite Observation conducted by IAEC and 2 Observers; observation document submitted to NRECA
Annually:
– Performance Measures of Key OSHA Data submitted to NRECA
– Safety Improvement Plan prepared by cooperative and status submitted to NRECA
Every three years:
– CEO Leadership Commitment submitted to NRECA
– Safety Application document submitted to NRECA
– Verification Documents compiled for review by Onsite Observation Team
– Onsite Observation conducted by IAEC and 2 Observers; observation document submitted to NRECA