Lake County, OH – Laketran evacuated 52 residents and two pets on Sunday, March 2, 2014 while residents went hours without electricity due to down power lines.  Laketran was called by Lake County’s Emergency Operations Center to be prepared to evacuate any residents in need of warming center.

For eight hours, Laketran evacuated residents from homes to seek shelter at Painesville Fire Department, the central warming center.   

“Actually, I first received a call at 6:30am from Mentor Fire Department with a request to evacuate 30 residents in wheelchairs from an assisted living facility in Mentor that was out of heat.  But that request was then canceled, because heat was restored,” explains Andy Altenweg, Laketran Deputy General Manager.

By 9:00am, City of Painesville Fire Department asked for evacuation support for residents without transportation to warming sites, because power outages were expected to last late into the day.  Seniors, people with disabilities, and young families were all transported to Painesville Fire Department.

“It’s all part of being there when the residents need you.  We’re glad to be able to assist communities and residents when in time of crisis,” said Altenweg.

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