Keeping the Lights On—Even When the Office Is Closed
When the rest of us are winding down for the evening or enjoying the weekend, Kootenai Electric Cooperative’s (KEC) After Hours Coordinator Team is just getting started. Operating 24/7, this dedicated trio ensures that lineworkers and members have support during outages, emergencies, and unexpected events—anytime the main office is closed.
This team also brings a wealth of experience— Elizabeth Sanchez has over 25 years of expertise, while Carrie Butterfield and Vickie Brooks each have 17 years of tenure with KEC. Their longevity reflects not only their commitment but also the vital role they play in keeping operations running smoothly after hours. With decades of combined knowledge, they truly know the ropes. We spent some time with this group to learn more about their roles.
What does a typical shift look like for you?
This team works when the office is closed and rotates through shifts to provide continuous coverage.
- “During a shift we are notified of outage calls by email, text, and phone,” said Butterfield. “Whether it’s a 911 emergency or a member reporting a downed line, we’re often the first point of contact.”
- “Our lineman work hard in constantly changing conditions to restore power to our members as quickly as possible,” said Sanchez. “Our role is to support them by coordinating their work while keeping safety as the top priority. We all take pride in delivering reliable, quality service to all of our members.”
What’s unique about your role?
- “Some cooperatives outsource dispatching, but KEC chose to keep it in-house, and I think that makes a big difference in how we serve our members,” said Brooks. “Our team is very familiar with KEC’s community and service territory.”
- “Once crews are dispatched, we continuously monitor incoming information and relay updates to ensure constant communication and safety,” said Butterfield.
What’s the biggest challenge in your job?
“It can be unpredictable, and you never know when things will get busy,” said Brooks. “Storms, dig-ins, car accidents and emergencies can happen at any time and cause power outages.”
What’s something you wish more members knew?
- “Please call 811 a few days before you dig,” said Sanchez. “This gets underground utility-owned lines marked for free and helps prevent undesired consequences. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you, and potentially result in fines and repair costs.”
- “We don’t always know what caused a power outage until the crews arrive at the scene and investigate,” said Brooks. “We post updates as soon as the information is available on our Facebook page and at www.kec.com.”
What’s the best part of your job?
“Even though we’re behind the scenes, we’re making a difference,” said Butterfield. “I’m proud of the role I play in helping keep our community safe and connected.”
What’s your favorite thing about our area?
This team loves the four seasons and the strong sense of community here. It’s a great place to live and work.