Domlec Newsletter | Issue 11 | June 2012

Domlec joins Rotary club in donating audiometers Domlec signs memorandum of understanding Health and Safety - Credit to the Generation team Health and Safety - Effect of spills to the environment Summer attachments already here Education Trust Fund on the receiving end DADP benefits Hurricane season - Be prepared Nathaniel George awarded Farewell to “TP” Team Domlec praised for its efforts Commercial Department says Goodbye to meter technician Healthy Living Carilec page Editor: Adina Bellot-Valentine Layout & Design: Elaine Greenaway

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ISSUE 11, JUNE 2012

As part of its mandate to give back to the community it serves and maintaining its image as a good corporate citizen Domlec recently teamed up with the Rotary Club to present four audiometers to the Ministry of Health. Three of these audiometers were made available through the generosity of Domlec at a cost of US$1500.00 each. The other donated by New India Assurance Co. Ltd. An audiometer is standard equipment used for evaluating hearing or the loss thereof and is an essential tool for the ministry particularly in assessing student’s ability to hear and whether they need hearing aids and or further treatment. Rotary Club President Marvlyn Birmingham told the presentation ceremony that the project began after she was informed by the mother of a “particularly challenged young woman”

Nurse DeAnne Graham who is responsible for administering the screening tests in the primary health program commended the Club and the sponsors for the donation as they have been unable to conduct screening for three years due to a lack of audiometers.

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that her daughter needed replacement hearing aid but she was unable to meet the cost of the device. As a result Birmingham partnered with Dr. Susan King of the Ross University School of Medicine to source the hearing aid for that young lady and later brought a “hearing mission” to Dominica. Nurse DeAnne Graham who is responsible for administering the screening tests in the primary health program commended the Club and the sponsors for the donation as they have been unable to conduct screening for three years due to a lack of audiometers. The machines will be placed at the Roseau, Castle Bruce, LaPlaine and Marigot Health Districts. The Rotary Club President is hopeful that other corporate entities will come forward in an effort to purchase additional meters thereby equipping all the seven health districts on the island. Director of Primary Health Care Services and Rotarian Dr. Martin Christmas in accepting the audiometers on behalf of the Ministry of Health noted the importance of health care particularly hearing and commended both businesses and the Rotary Club for the donation. He is certain that they will be properly used and well maintained. PRO of Domlec Adina Bellot-Valentine told the presentation that Domlec had no

hesitation in pledging support to this noble gesture. She said the company’s social mandate creates an avenue for it to play a meaningful role in the development of the space within which it operates. “For many years the company has thrown its support behind various cultural, sporting, health and education activities and the many individuals who visit its office every year seeking assistance. And we will continue to do so”. She added.

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ISSUE 11, JUNE 2012

As work on the exploration of geothermal energy continues in Dominica Domlec maintains its interest in the growth of green energy aimed at reducing costs to consumers. At the recently held Annual General Meeting Chairman Robert Blanchard Jr. announced that much has been achieved with the government’s exploration of the geothermal potential, and Domlec fully supports this initiative. The company has been working closely with Governments Geothermal Project Management Unit, to ensure that the company’s role in this venture is maintained and does what it can to assist with the further development of the project. According to him the Dominica project is generally designed to export power to neighboring French islands since Domlec will

To this end a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the electric utility company of the French islands through France (EDF) to work jointly in developing the geothermal project.

Robert Blanchard Jr. not be able to consume all that is produced. To this end a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the electric utility company of the French islands through France (EDF) to work jointly in developing the geothermal project.

Blanchard contends that there are a lot of mechanisms to be dealt with; however he is confident that if everyone works together including the financing agents there can be a reasonable level of success.

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Commendation has come as far as the Prime Minister’s Office on the improved housekeep and the appearance of the Fond Cole Power Station, there is still much to be done. During the first six (6) months of the year, the generation team has worked tirelessly on improving the conditions at the Power Station making Health and Safety the front burner on the morning meetings agenda. Some of the major accomplishments in the first half of the year are improved housekeeping, reduction in oil spills by improving spill control system, no littering campaign with the insertion of garbage bins in strategic locations, the reintroduction of safe work systems such as Permit to Work, Permit to Test, job briefing among others. The safe work systems are relatively new to the staff of the Generation

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By Brandon Henry - Health & Safety Officer Department and require much work. Consultations are being conducted with the aim for continuous improvement. We have also seen improved welfare with the refurbishment of the downstairs office area to include a conference room, canteen, mess room among other areas. The staff at the Generation Department is generally more comfortable with the improved conditions.

installations of much needed signs in strategic locations which adds to the security, health and safety of the staff and facilities. Compliance to rules and regulations has also been improved with employees adhering to the use of their PPE. All of these are having positive results with a reduction in accidents, increased productivity and greater reliability. There is so much to be proud of and we say thank you to the staff for their involvement.

We have also highlighted an awareness campaign with the

By Brandon Henry Oil spills occur as a result of an accident or when persons make mistakes or are careless. Oil spills not only contaminate the areas where it is spilled, but also infiltrates into the ground and makes it way into the water table. The water table then becomes contaminated destroying the eco-systems. Some pollutants are very harmful, for example, a gallon of oil can pollute an area of water the size of two football playing field; 250 grams of pesticide is enough to exceed the permitted limits in the whole of London’s water supply; Solvents are also very potent pollutant

substances when allowed to reach a watercourse or underground water; one liter of the common degreasant trichloroethylene could contaminate 100,000,000 liters of drinking water (the equivalent of 50 Olympic sized swimming pools). The extent of the effect will therefore depend on the flow rate of the watercourse and on any tidal effects. Spills and leaks associated with company activities are frequent causes of land contamination. Many of these substances are used by DOMLEC and extreme care must be taken to avoid spills.

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Summer has just begun and Domlec has already opened its doors to a number of college and high school students who are hoping to get first hand experience in the world of work. Every year the company accommodates, high school, local and overseas based college students aimed at enabling them to make some extra money, but more importantly preparing them for the work environment.

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Human Resources and Administration Manager Bertilia McKenzie says the summer attachment program which has been in operation for many years, has created an indelible mark on a number of the students who are part of it. “Many of them return to us for letters of recommendation and some have become permanent staff of the organization. They enjoy the training, like working with the older staff members, in fact at the end of their stint many do not want to leave,” she added.

McKenzie said too many times you enter an institution and the young people employed have no idea about customer service or even how to answer the telephone. Domlec she said is proud to be the avenue through which many of the students learn the basics for the next step in their quest for further development. Let’s meet some of our attachments:

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Some parents who find it difficult to meet the day to day expenses of sending their children to school will breathe a sigh of relief thanks to the presentation of $5000.00 to the Education Trust Fund.

Judith Shipley (left) accepts on behalf of the Trust Fund

Every year Domlec makes an annual contribution the fund which is used to assist with

For a number of years now the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities has been the recipient of an annual contribution from Domlec.

the basic educational needs of a number of students from all across the island. Chairman of the fund Willie Fevrier is thankful for the continued support and welcomes the confidence of Domlec in the management of the fund.

carrying out its program of activities for the year.

The association which caters for the needs of persons with disabilities continues to advocate for equal The DADP through its Executive rights and opportunities for those Director Nathalie Murphy is eternally persons, it is hoped that through grateful for the contribution which she Domlec’s contribution the lives of says supports the association in those seeking assistance can be improved.

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ISSUE 11, JUNE 2012

is mandated to do in the event of a storm. He said customers too must ensure that if a system should hit, they must refrain from touching or coming into contact with down lines and trees or branches which may make contact with the lines. Customers should also report any such damage to the office by calling its emergency number 811. Glenice Garraway

It is important that we are always prepared in unlikely event the island is hit by a weather system. Domlec’s Disaster Coordinator Glenice Garraway told the first hurricane preparedness meeting that despite predictions that this year’s season will be an average one, there is no need for complacency, since it takes just one system to disrupt the day to day operations of the company. According to him the company is generally prepared as it relates to its stock levels and general readiness within the various departments. Everyone is aware of what he or she

Mr. Garraway said U.S. forecasters have predicted that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season would produce a normal number of about 9 to 15 tropical storms. As many as four to eight of those storms could strengthen into hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s initial outlook for the six-month storm season. One to three of those could become major hurricanes with top winds of 111 mph or higher. He noted that the weather phenomenon known as El Nino, which warms Pacific waters near the equator and increases wind shear over the Atlantic, may develop by the late summer or early fall and

help suppress storm development. The names for 2012 are Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie and William.

Damage to electrical lines after a storm

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Utility Research Center of the University of Florida. George said during the first week of the program, participants were divided into groups and were assigned several case studies. He was nominated to be the speaker for his group and was awarded a cert ificat e in recognit ion of h i s e x c e l l e n t p r e s e nt a t io n .

Domlec’s Nathaniel George has been awarded for his presentation at the 32nd Annual International Training Program on Utility Regulatory and Strategy held at the University of Florida. The program was conducted over a two week period June 11-22 in collaboration with the World Bank and the Public

This program was previously attended by Mr. Collin Cover General Manager and Ms. Ellise Darwton Corporate Secretary, as part of Domlec's strategic plan for capacity building in response to the regulated environment in which the company operates. Close to 100 participants from all over the world formed part of this year's program, from countries such as, Kenya, Ghana, Vietnam, Nigeria, Uganda,

Saudi Arabia, Peru, Chile, Belize, Jordon, Lithuania, Pakistan, Tonga, Costa Rica, Trinidad, and Barbados represented electricity, water, telecoms, and transport utilities as well as there were regulators and operators from various fields including finance, law, engineering, and economics. Our congratulat ions to Nathaniel George cont inue to make us proud.

He was nominated to be the speaker for his group and was awarded a certificate in recognition of his excellent presentation.

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ISSUE 11, JUNE 2012

April 30th marked the final day for Thomas Paul after many years of service to Domlec. “TP” as he was affectionately known said goodbye to his colleagues having retired from the company he served for 28 years, between August 14th, 1974 to October 31st, 1989 and June 14th, 1999 to April 30th 2012.

Thomas Paul “TP”

At a farewell reception held recently friends, colleagues and well wishers described

“TP” as a man committed and dedicated to the advancement of Domlec and to the tasks he undertook day after day. Manager of the Engineering, Transmission and Distribution Department Lemuel Lavinier, with whom TP worked for a long time as Line Supervisor noted that while he could be described as firm, was pleasant to work with and brought about much needed change within the Portsmouth and Northern environment.

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Chairman Robert Blanchard Jr. The Board of Directors of Domlec has praised the efforts of General Manager Collin Cover and his team for their hard work and dedication in steering the company through operating, economic and regulatory challenges to another successful year. At the annual general meeting conducted recently Chairman Robert Blanchard Jr. announced that he was pleased that 2011 was a good year for the company, despite the lingering global financial crisis, the company showed growth and improvement in many areas. According to him financially Domlec turned around its year end earnings form last year and also achieved

better results in most of the technical and operational facets of the company. In his annual repost message the chairman noted that prudent management of the company’s operational and financial commitments yielded an after tax profit of $7.75 million at the end of the financial year. He listed other achievements including record low numbers in outages experienced by the customers. This he attributed to the investment in the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Smart Metering solutions. The company also recorded for the first time in its history line losses of 8.6%. Mr. Blanchard said Domlec’s mission is to deliver affordable and reliable energy today while making the investments needed to ensure a

sustainable supply in the future. Quite apart from the company’s other involvement in the geothermal process, a governments request for expressions of interest in the development of a 1-10MW production plant was responded to and is now awaiting a final selection. He noted that work with the Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC) is ongoing with a view to establishing criteria for the more efficient operation of the system both technically and in the area of customer service. While noting that the company performed credibly in its adherence to the guaranteed and overall standards applied in respect of service to customers, there are still unresolved differences relating to the tariff structure and licensing regime. The issue of a new license for Domlec is being put on the front burner since its operating license comes to an end in 2015.

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Julien Simelda April 4th, 2102 proved to be a sad day for the Commercial Department when the employees said good bye to Meter Technician Julien Simelda. Julien had been employed with the company for 13 years having started at the hydro power plant in Trafalgar as an Assistant Operator for 3 years. He described his years at the company as rewarding and successful, having been exposed to a number of training opportunities and being able to pass on knowledge acquired to his peers. He said new procedures and technology came along and he had to adjust to the changes. But all this made him better able to execute his duties. What thrilled him most is serving the customers. According to him the installation of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) was a complete joy, particularly having to meet with the customer one on one. He believes the AMI is a powerful technology, one that can prove to be very useful for the company and the customer. Meantime Felix Julien who supervised Julien describes him as a dedicated and ambitious employee, one who has played an important role to the work of meter services. Mr. Julien noted the eagerness of Simelda to learn and to set an example to those who worked with him. While the work at meter services will definitely continue, Julien Simelda will be greatly missed. He was thanked by many for his commitment and unwavering support to the company’s plans and programs.

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All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and in this case maybe Jill a dull girl. For this reason a number of employees are engaged in a health and fitness program conducted by our own karate expert Jerimie Lavinier. The exercise program is conducted Monday and Wednesday from 4:30pm at the Sports Club House in Fond Cole.

Thanks to management and the executive of the Sports Club for the exercise equipment which has been made available. A number of male employees have been working out: Great keep it up guys. Those who are still not part of the program we look forward to seeing you at the next session. Let’s practice good health habits.

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