WPS crew heads to East Coast

ASHWAUBENON - Weeks after Superstorm Sandy ripped through the East Coast, portions of the area are still in need of relief.

And now, workers from here in Wisconsin are on their way. Though many in hard-hit areas have electricity, they still lack gas utilities.

A Wisconsin Public Service crew will make its way to New Jersey. The workers say, even though they'll be leaving their own homes during the holiday season, they say they are happy to help those in need.

The trucks are packed with wrenches and gauges.

“We need these to make sure that we have the gas turned on at safe levels,” said Glen Calewerts, a gas street technician.

WPS gas mechanics say they're ready to help heat up New Jersey.

"There's a lot of buildings that are down that can't even be occupied, and we have to determine if we can serve them with gas at all and turn the gas on make sure everything is safe."

Eight crew members from Wisconsin will leave from Oshkosh Saturday morning.

Each WPS truck holds a two man crew. It's a 20 hour trip out to the East Coast. They don't even know where they'll be staying when they get there. But they do know the work they'll be doing will bring heat to people who have needed it for weeks.

"The electricity had to be done first. Now the gas work is being done,” said Linda Maleport.

Calewerts says he's helped out disaster relief across Wisconsin before. But this 18 day trip will be his first nationwide job.

“We're kind of small town here. It's going to be different out there.”

He says he's glad he has the opportunity to lend a hand to those who have weathered so much this fall.

"It feels good to go out there and give back and get them going again. It'll be a challenge but we're up to it,” said Calewerts.

This isn't the first crew WPS sent to the East Coast. The company also sent an electric line crew earlier this month.

• Photos: Superstorm Sandy flooding and damage
• Interactive: Superstorm impact

Crews will arrive Sunday evening and begin work on restoring natural gas lines Monday morning. They’ll be in New Jersey for 18 days.