Teams from Homestead Public Services Energy (HPS) and Homestead Air Reserve Base (HARB) spend their weekend forging new connections. HARB Reservists assisted HPS Staff with several important tasks at the Homestead Power Plant as part of a Mutual Operations Agreement between the two groups.
“The COH-HARB partnership is mutually beneficial. It involves training opportunities for the reservists and provides a benefit to the City by having the reservists assist us with utility work,” said Barbara Quiñones, HPS Energy Director. “Plus, our staff and the reservists make connections that bring our communities closer together.”
This was the second weekend of partnership activities since HPS and HARB participants had their first meet-and-greet in May. The HARB Reservists work with HPS Staff on their monthly reserve weekends if other reserve weekend activities allow time. Future weekends will involve continued work in the Power Plant and other areas.
The Mutual Operations Agreement creates joint training opportunities for HPS and HARB. HPS divisions included in the partnership are Electric Power Generation, Electric Control Systems, Electric Line Work, Water Treatment Plant, Water and Sewer Line Work, Emergency Management, and Facilities Control Systems. HARB Reservists come from the 482nd Civil Engineering Squadron—a group responsible for providing mission support to the 482nd Fighter Wing, a fully combat ready unit used for short-notice worldwide military deployments.
For more information on HPS Energy, visit www.cityofhomestead.com/energy. Learn more about the Homestead Air Reserve Base at www.homestead.afrc.af.mil.