The #1 comment we hear about disaster  documentation and storm damage....

"I wish we had 'before' photos." Getting 'after' photos from the public, just makes sense if it can be done safely.

Utilities and municipalities are using Fast Forward solutions to expedite the storm documentation process, leading to better documented damage and restoration efforts. 

2024 has marked multiple record setting storms in the Nebraska region, accelerating the use case for using images to simplify and optimize work. Fast Forward has documented thousands of miles for utilities and municipalities for general maintenance initiatives, these images are then used after an unexpected storm event.  

For example, here are photos illustrating a pre-storm image of a utility pole, thermal image, and an image after a severe weather event (post-storm).

The unique aspect, is the post-storm photo was contributed by a local resident via the Fast Forward mobile app, enabling rate payers to push images right to the utilities GIS map. This is an application for participating utilities that allows the public to contribute infrastructure imagery, without the utility having to organize or keep track of images from the event. 

CEO of Fast Forward, Dusty Birge mentioned, "consumers just want their power restored in a safe and fast manner, and in partnership with a pro-active electric utility organization...this automation is a Win-Win."

When the electrical department works to restore outages, the multiple dates in time document the situation well, without  extra effort for the utility. Historical imagery can be reported instantly for sharing with disaster organizations like FEMA. 

In the event the storm reaches a disaster declaration, much of the documentation can be automated...reducing excessive and previously time-consuming work from the utility.

Fast Forward was also deployed during the historical OPPD storm event that resulted in over 221,000 without power. Winds were stronger, lasted longer, and covered a broader densely populated area than any other in OPPD’s history. It covered 1,090 square miles and caused a great deal more damage than the next biggest storm event, which happened July 9, 2021. Read about that event HERE. 

Fast Forward is a solutions company in Kearney, NE  simplifying many documentation and inspection tasks for utilities in over a dozen states, since the inception just a couple years ago.

An overview of the technology, can be seen here: Learn More. 

For utilities and municipalities looking for more information, WESCO is an authorized distributor of Fast Forward solutions.