Pocono News Section

I-TEC Preparing Generators for Haiti

I-TEC Preparing Generators for Haiti - Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 5:32PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Jan 27, 2010 @ 05:32pm EST
Montoursville, Lycoming County-

As the relief efforts in Haiti move from recovery to rebuilding, power will be an invaluable commodity. And one local company is leading the charge.

I-TEC Mechanical Services Coordinator Jim Neagle noted, "There's no one else that we can find that's doing this kind of work. So there is a very big demand for the type of work that we do."

For years now, the Montoursville-based company I-TEC has been powering missions both in the U. S. and abroad. They've provided electrical capabilities to hospitals, orphanages, and disaster areas.

Now they're rigging power generators to send to Haiti, at least three to start.

Neagle said, "We make skids for them, mount them underneath and put eyelets on them. And they can use goats to pull them around. They can use a vehicle, whatever they'd like to do."

These generators are a very stripped-down, rugged version that can't actually be used in the U. S. But they're perfect for relief efforts because they're very durable, and will run on just about any type of fuel available.

I-TEC President Tom Garber explained, "Bio-diesel type fuel, or if they get dirty fuel, which is very probable there in Haiti, it'll still continue to operate."

I-TEC's generators will initially help to power mobilization centers for the outreach group, "Touch Global." We're told local electricians and linesmen have been volunteering to help.

Garber noted, "We're going down with teams to help do the installation and make sure they get placed where we've been asked to place them and get them operational."

Garber sees his company's work as a way to help minister to disaster victims while also paving the way to a brighter future.

He added, "As the hurricanes continue to battle through there, they'll have the generator support now that they didn't have before, so it's really a win-win in that respect."

It costs about $5,000 to purchase and set up each generator. I-TEC officials estimate they will need to order about a dozen more.

To learn more about I-TEC, or donate to their cause, .