Help Available to Find Certified Construction Electricians
EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION -Help Available to Find Certified Construction Electricians
The province has joined forces with the Nova Scotia Home Builders' Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to put certified construction electricians in touch with people who need them.
"I am very pleased to see how the community has come together to help those in need," said Ernest Fage, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Organization.
Concerns had been raised that there might not be enough certified electricians for homeowners who needed repairs to their electrical meters and pipes before Nova Scotia Power could reconnect power lines.
"As soon as we heard those concerns, the Emergency Measures Organization brought all the parties together to work out a solution, with the help of private organizations, providing the needed assistance," said the minister.
The first resource that people should use to locate a certified electrician is the local Yellow Pages. If any homeowner is still having difficulty obtaining the services of a certified electrician within what they feel is a reasonable amount of time, they should contact Nova Scotia's public inquiries line at 902- 424-5200 in Halifax, or toll-free 1-800-670-4357. Callers will be provided with an up-to-date list of qualified electricians available to do the required work. Public inquiry lines will remain open this weekend from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Nova Scotia Home Builders' Association is working with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to compile a list of electrical contractors who have certified electricians available for work. Beginning Saturday, Oct. 4, certified construction electricians in the province who wish to be put on this list should contact the homebuilders association at 1-800- 668-2001. The line will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, until there is no longer a need for this service.
Homeowners are reminded that before Nova Scotia Power can reconnect power to their equipment, any damage to the electrical service entrance (the meter base and pipe) must be repaired by a certified construction electrician who has obtained the appropriate Nova Scotia Power permit. It is essential that individuals hire only certified construction electricians to do this work. Failure to do this will make it impossible for power to be restored.
Nova Scotia Power estimates about 1,360 people, out of about 5,000 who have already completed the necessary electrical repair work, are now waiting for power re-connection. Nova Scotia Power already has crews working in the Halifax Regional Municipality and Northeastern Nova Scotia to reconnect these people.