In the Path of Fires, P&J Helps Make Right-of-Ways Safer
Since our very first land clearing project in 1952, P&J has established itself as one of the premier hazardous tree removal companies in the country. We have responded to wildfires and large-magnitude wildfire fuels reduction projects for regulated utilities and government entities throughout the western U.S., in addition to hazardous tree/limb/stump removal programs for more than 150 disaster debris management projects throughout the country. Our work has largely focused on the state of California, beginning with bark beetle tree removal in the San Bernardino area. We've spent the last 15 years cultivating relationships with regulated utilities and state agencies in the area. Recently, we began working with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) on several different wildfire response projects and mitigation programs throughout California. P&J Vice President Eric Hedrick explains, “We started with hazardous tree removal around utility ROWs after the Butte Wildfire, and since then we have executed a series of contracts managing different types of vegetation around power lines throughout the state.”
We continued this work in 2018 in PG&E’s Accelerated Wildfire Risk Reduction (AWRR) program, which involved expanding the ROW of more than 17,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines through vegetation management and tree removal in high-risk areas to mitigate wildfire damage to power lines in 48 counties. P&J continues to provide these services under a new work order as the state of California rolls the scope into an ongoing routine maintenance program starting in 2019. Safety is the top priority on every P&J project, and tree removal is historically very dangerous work. Due to the challenging terrain and the fact that crews work near power lines, tree felling operations are precisely controlled using ropes and calculated notches and cuts to guide tree fall direction. The P&J project approach includes a stringent vetting process that helps identify experienced North American Training Solutions (NATS)-certified line clearance climbers who can work above power lines to clear limbs safely. Additionally, all employees who are onboarded to P&J projects participate in project orientation including P&J’s site-specific safety training and any additional trade-related safety training relevant to their role on the project. P&J’s robust safety program has ensured the understanding and execution of safe operations policies and procedures by more than 1,100 employees on the California wildfire work alone.
P&J’s 15 Year History of Disaster Response in California pg. 26
2003 Began a ten-year effort to manage diseased/dying trees for So Cal Edison
2008 Completed fuel reduction projects in Cleveland Natl. Forest, San Bernardino Natl. Forest, Angeles Natl. Forest
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