ERIE — Penelec, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., recently completed its yearly emergency preparation drill focused on testing its storm restoration process.

Penelec conducted the drill virtually to align with its pandemic protocol. During the past year, Penelec employees have conducted storm calls and used electronic storm tools remotely to manage restoration activities in the field.

The drill scenario was based on a powerful wind storm that swept through Pennsylvania last November causing tree-related damage to the system and interrupting electric service to 90,000 Penelec customers.

More than 30 Penelec employees from the operations, engineering, safety, logistics, communications, external affairs, customer support, facilities, corporate support and planning and analysis groups participated in the drill, which was observed by representatives from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

“This is a great opportunity for us to practice and sharpen our skills in preparation for thunderstorms and severe weather headed into the spring and summer months,” Nick Austin, regional president of Penelec, said in a statement. “Periodic emergency drills are another way we invest in reliability for our customers, in addition to the tree trimming and the continuous work we do to harden our electric distribution infrastructure and enhance its resiliency.”

Penelec serves about 585,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania.