Progress Energy Florida (PEF) has completed preparations for the 2006 hurricane season by conducting its annual storm drill.

"While our Florida service area was spared direct strikes from hurricanes last year, we must continue to prepare for the worst," said David McDonald, PEF's system storm coordinator. "With forecasts calling for more active hurricane seasons, our storm-response plan must be tested and refined so our employees are ready if disaster strikes."

The drill was coordinated from PEF's storm center facility in Winter Garden and involved employees throughout the company. Hurricane season begins June 1.

Last year, PEF mobilized hundreds of line crews and support personnel to help restore power after hurricanes ravaged other states and South Florida. As a member of the Southeastern Electric Exchange, a mutual-aid organization for investor-owned utilities, the company dispatched employees to the Gulf after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and to South Florida after Hurricane Wilma left millions in the dark.

This year's drill emphasized even greater accuracy in the estimated time it takes to restore power after a hurricane, which is critical information for customers, especially during prolonged outages. The drill also focused on the relationships the company has with local emergency management agencies. When hurricanes threaten, PEF employees are assigned to support local governments throughout the company's 35-county service area. They work closely with local officials before, during and after hurricanes to expedite restoration of service.

Also this year, PEF has emphasized increased public understanding of how trees can interfere with service during storms.

"With the increased number of hurricanes in the past two years, more people are realizing that the type of tree they plant--and location--can have a significant effect on electric reliability for their home and their neighbors' homes," said McDonald. "Wind-blown trees and limbs are, by far, the leading cause of power outages."

To promote public awareness of how trees planted near power lines can cause outages, the company recently kicked off its "Know Where You Grow" campaign. PEF gave away 8000 low-growing trees and shrubs to customers throughout Florida, along with instructions on proper care and planting. PEF is also removing and trimming numerous trees that the company has identified as threats to electrical lines in a storm. The trees are being removed with the permission of property owners.