Lighting the Path to Recovery

The worst tornado outbreak in recent U.S. history tore through the Midwestern and Southern United States in April, devastating and displacing entire communities. Many survivors now face the challenge of recovering without access to basic necessities such as electricity, clean water and shelter.

In this time of need, RSC Equipment Rental called on Terex Aerial Work Platforms (AWP) to partner in providing the light towers necessary for aid and relief efforts. Moving quickly and working around the clock, RSC and Terex AWP delivered 56 Terex AL4000 light towers to locations across northern Alabama and Tennessee. Exceptional effort was put into getting all 56 light towers delivered quickly to the crisis zone, including pre-fueling the towers with nearly 1,680 gal of diesel prior to leaving the Terex Rock Hill-S.C. manufacturing facility. With this equipment on the ground, work is under way day and night toward a quicker recovery.

With a disaster such as this, keeping the lights on is critical for rescue, cleanup and rebuilding efforts. If the power goes out, disaster relief agencies and emergency management rely on alternative lighting options to light the way.

Stranded in the Dark

Emergency situations created by tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and fire increase the sense of urgency for a disaster response team to get responders onsite as quickly as possible — tight timelines and whims of the weather will have relief efforts going day and night. If permanent lighting is not available and there isn’t ready access to a power source to provide lighting, portable light towers handle every lighting need.

“Light towers are commonly used in disaster-relief operations to provide temporary light and power to distressed areas,” says Chad Hislop, light tower product manager, Terex AWP. “Most light towers provide not only lighting but also power to run tools and electrical appliances.”

Light towers are ideal for use in these situations, according to Hislop, because they can be easily towed into position and set up in a short period of time. They provide their own power, so they are able to power auxiliary equipment through on-board power receptacles, serving as temporary generators, reducing the amount of equipment onsite.

“In the aftermath of the recent tornado outbreak, immediate lighting and power was needed in locations across northern Alabama and Tennessee,” says Wes Smith, district sales manager at RSC Equipment Rental. “With such urgent need, there weren’t enough flat bed trailers to deliver all the units, but due to the portability of the towers we were able to use our personal pickups and tow the towers directly into the crisis.”

First responders such as police, fire and emergency medical crews can rapidly deploy portable light towers to aid rescue efforts. Because they are easy to set up for maximum amount of light coverage, light towers are also perfect for illuminating staging areas. The recent development of LED light towers allows for portable lighting in both noise and emissions sensitive situations. This includes emergency medical centers where communication is key and indoor shelters where emissions present a health risk.

“Most people give light towers little thought,” says Hislop. “They appreciate the extra light, but don’t realize where that light is coming from. But for emergency responders to disasters such as the recent tornado outbreak, light towers are crucial to rescue and recovery efforts.

“Light towers are also critical for general construction contractors tasked with cleaning up and rebuilding after a disaster,” continues Hislop. “Tight timelines dictated by the weather, the condition of the infrastructure and the immediate and long-term needs of the victims keep these crews working around the clock to get things back to normal.”

Illuminating from Dusk till Dawn

For light towers to be effective in distressed areas, it is essential for operators to follow standard operating requirements spelled out by the light tower’s manufacturer. If high winds continue to affect the recovery area, it might not be possible to use light towers until conditions improve. There are other limitations, according to Hislop. Locations where light towers are being employed need to be accessible by a truck and trailer. Also, remote locations and continuing power outages may reduce access to diesel fuel and limit their use.

“In the case of the Alabama tornado recovery, fuel was extremely limited throughout the disaster zone. With a need for portable lighting and no way to get fuel in the immediate area, Terex AWP brought a fuel tanker to their facility in Rock Hill and pre-fueled all 56 light towers before delivering them into the disaster area,” says Smith. “This allowed work to begin immediately without placing additional strain on highly limited resources.”

According to light tower operating requirements from Terex, a manufacturer of a range of trailer-mounted light towers, the area around the light tower should be clean and free of debris. When setting up the tower, position it on a firm, level surface and make certain that it is well grounded and secured in place. This includes leveling the unit and extending the outriggers before raising the mast.

Also, operators need to remember to never start a tower in need of repair, especially if the insulation on the electrical cord is cut or damaged. Operators should always check for overhead wires and other obstructions before raising the mast. Operators must also make sure that the area behind the tower is clear of people and other equipment when raising and lowering the mast. It is important to keep in mind that it is best if light towers are lowered when they are not in use. And, because the bulbs used on metal halide units become extremely hot during use, it is important that operators allow the light fixtures to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before handling.

Shining Brightly

Regular maintenance, such as replacing burned out bulbs, is key to having a productive light tower on-site during any event. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines for service and maintenance. If the light tower is being used in severe weather conditions, such as extreme hot or cold temperatures, dusty environments or high winds, it is important to inspect the unit more frequently and complete service checks as necessary.

“In situations where the temperatures are extreme or there is a lot of debris in the air, operators should check the engine every day, as well as change the air and fuel filters more often,” says Hislop.

After a disaster strikes, light towers can offer a beacon of light to those in need, providing the people living and working in the affected area a brighter, safer place for recovery.

Sean Larin is a marketing coordinator with Terex Aerial Work Platforms, based in Redmond, Wash.