The Calm in the Storm Part II: Inside Kendall’s Emergency Response

On the Ground: Safety, Skill, and Restoration

By Nick Furman, Kendall Field Reporter.

Gear Up: Chainsaws, Hard Hats, and the Right People

You can’t just roll up to a storm site and start cutting. Before the first branch is touched, crews are already assessing the scene. Overhead power lines, unstable ground, leaning poles, nearby homes, blocked road access—every hazard is noted in minutes through a Pre-Job Hazard Assessment. It’s fast but never rushed, because speed without accuracy is a recipe for more problems.

That’s not just tree work. It’s threat assessment with chainsaws.

Every Kendall team is trained to do this. It’s not just book knowledge. David Fiebelkorn, Director of Business Development, informed me that they run full-on storm training sessions in the field every year. Real-time demonstrations on clearing limbs from live wires, securing unstable trees, and working safely in difficult terrain. Customers and partners are often invited to see it firsthand. They don’t just observe. They learn the process, ask questions, and walk away with a deeper understanding of what goes into safe storm response.

The equipment is top tier: Aerial lifts, saws, rigging gear, and safety harnesses. Every piece is chosen for reliability under pressure. But the true advantage is the crew. Many have logged hundreds of storm hours, and their calm under pressure is hard-earned. Before work begins, a safety briefing assigns roles. One person cuts, another monitors the line, and a third watches the road. Everyone knows their job, and everyone has the authority to stop work if something doesn’t feel right.

Kendall advantage: Safety is not a step in the process. It IS the process.

Removal with Precision and Control

Once the plan is set, it’s time for removal. Crews establish a clear hazard zone using cones, traffic control, and spotters to manage pedestrians or drivers who wander too close. This isn’t “cut and hope.” Every move is calculated to control the fall path and weight distribution.

If there’s any doubt? The work stops. Immediately. Every crew member, regardless of position, is empowered to call an all stop. 

When power lines are involved, coordination with the utility is priority one. Line crews evaluate, de-energize when needed, and stand alongside us to ensure safe working conditions. Tucker Miller, Kendall’s Director of Central Office, summed it up best: “It’s immediate. At all hours of the day, we get the message and address it.”

The goal is not just to remove the hazard, but to eliminate the risk of it returning. That means verifying stability and confirming that the area is safe for the public before crews leave.

Kendall advantage: We work in complete coordination with utilities to eliminate hazards without creating new ones.

Cleanup that Closes the Loop

Once the hazard is gone, cleanup begins. Crews walk the site to catch anything missed during active removal. Brush is chipped, stumps may be flagged for grinding, and power lines are rechecked. If replanting is needed, it’s noted and relayed to the customer.

Cleanup is part of the restoration, not an afterthought. We document the work, including what was removed and what needs further attention, then send that report to our clients. This follow-up ensures there are no lingering concerns once we leave the site.

Kendall advantage: We leave the site better than we found it, every time.

Anyone Can Rush to Show Up First, Kendall Arrives Ready to Deliver

Showing up is not enough. Arriving with the right people, tools, and plan is what makes the difference. When things go wrong, you don’t want vague promises or voicemail. You want action, and you want it from people who have done it before.

At Kendall, storm response is not guesswork. It’s a practiced process built on preparation, coordination, and execution. As David Fiebelkorn told me, “We’ll take you out of chaos and into a process that works.”

Lives, infrastructure, and community trust depend on getting it right the first time. That’s why Kendall crews arrive not to find out what’s happening but to fix it, quickly and correctly.

Kendall advantage: We don’t just respond. We restore confidence.

Closing Thoughts

Storm work is never just about the tree in front of you. It is about preparation that starts days in advance, precision in the heat of the moment, and follow-through that keeps the next outage from happening. From the first forecast models to the final safety check, Kendall crews bring the same mindset: arrive ready, work smart, and leave the community better than we found it.

We have shown you how that happens in two parts: the planning and mobilization that make our response possible, and the assessment, coordination, and safe execution that bring the lights back on. In every step, the Kendall advantage is clear: speed matched with strategy, and readiness backed by experience.

Because when seconds matter, preparation wins. And that is what we deliver, every time.