One of the core values of IBEW Local 332 is that we do whatever it takes to get the job done right. In September, 332 members with Contra Costa Electric did just that at Stanford Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH). Their efforts to restore the hospital’s backup power in 20 hours were nothing short of heroic. Site Supervisor Dan Dias got the call at 7:15am that backup power had been lost, and by 8am, the entire 332 team assembled from across the campus. Members stayed on until 4am to get the job done.
The backup power was lost at the height of California’s fire season, so if there had been a blackout, it could have been a crisis for the hospital and its patients. “We had to come up with a fix. You can’t operate without a backup generator and emergency power,” explained Dias. “The members showed incredible integrity. Everybody took personal responsibility to make this happen and protect the hospital.”
LPCH Chief Engineer Ray McMorris concurred with Dias. “This remarkable effort highlights the team’s unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit that defines our community. Their dedication and professionalism were truly inspiring, and it was an impressive showcase of efficiency.”
Dias described the complicated install. “Members relocated a 2,000 KW generator and connected it to the emergency switch gear. We ran over 15,000 feet of cables from the street, down the stairs, across the parking garage overhead, and then into the substation room. Each roll is probably 30-40 lbs, so stringing them all out from point A to point B was some heavy duty labor. The members didn’t complain, and they just did what needed to be done to make this happen.”
Anthony Hernández, Journeyman, Local 332 Steward at LPCH
“I’d like to first acknowledge our crew of IBEW professionals for their dedication to serving the electrical power needs and critical operations at Stanford Hospital. What we accomplished on that day simply would not have happened without my union brothers.
“I am also grateful for Contra Costa Electric’s on-site leadership. Everyone immediately understood the situation and was on board. We worked together diligently until the job was done. We worked as a team under clear direction from site superintendent, Dan Dias, who came across calm and collected throughout the entire day.
“Ultimately, it was our crew’s collective rapid response, high level of professionalism, and ability to execute the job safely and successfully which led to the restoration of emergency backup power to the children’s hospital within 24 hours.”
Hernández, a 14-year 332 member, originally reported this story back to the union hall.
Gurwinder “G” Singh & Anthony Chak, 1st year apprentices, jumped in to help.
“Having no prior experience in the trade, I didn’t know a situation like this was even possible coming into the apprenticeship,” said G Singh. “Understanding the severity and importance of the task was motivating to say the least. All the different machines and devices that patients relied on could shut down if something were to happen to the main power. Though working an 18-hour shift late into the night was no easy task, it left me with a very rewarding feeling in the end, knowing that we helped.”
Chak concurred. “I was worried because the hospital might need backup power at any moment. I knew it would be a fast-paced, high-pressure situation, and I wanted to help as much as I could without getting in the way. I realized how important teamwork is. When something goes wrong, everyone comes together to get the job done. It truly feels like a family, like brothers and sisters all looking out for one another. It’s really nice knowing that we all support each other and are ready to be there for one another when it matters most.”
