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Most of us never consider the importance of updating our account information, but it is very important! Especially with your electric cooperative. Why? Because we use your telephone number to identify your account and location when there are outages. Have you called and our automated system answered? When the automated system answers your call, it’s because we are experiencing an extremely high volume of calls due to an outage. The first thing our system does is try to recognize your phone number and link it to an account and location. This helps us with our restoration efforts. If the automated system does answer, and you are calling from a different number than is listed on your account, the system won’t recognize your location. This could delay your power restoration during a storm. You don’t want that to happen and neither do we, so please make sure all of your account information is completely up-to-date. 6908001

It’s really quite easy to make sure your account information is updated – sometimes, as simple as picking up the phone. You can call any district office to make simple changes like updating your phone number or address. You can also update your information on our website. Here’s how: Visit www.westflorida.coop and look for the “Manage Your Account” field. Log in – if this is the first time you are using this service, you must create a username and password. Once you have them, follow the prompts to enter the member portal. After logging in, click on the “My Account” tab and then select the “Account Profile” option and update any phone numbers associated with your account. You can also update your address and other account info under this tab.

Our automated phone system is another quick way to make updates. Call 1.855.MYWFECA (1.855.699.3322) and select option #4 to update or change your phone number. You can also speak with a member services representative next time you are in the office.

Here’s another thing you may not have considered: It is also very important to let WFEC know when you or a loved one relies on an oxygen machine, sleeps with a CPAP or has other medically essential equipment that depends on electricity to operate. In fact, we have a service that will contact members when there is a planned outage to perform routine maintenance or upgrade lines and equipment in their area so that they can make plans to sustain their equipment and batteries during planned outages. 23827001

However, when severe storms hit our area, there is no way to determine how long electric service will be disrupted, so it is very important for WFEC members who require life support or other medical devices to make arrangements for their medical needs in advance. Members with critical care needs are strongly encouraged to have backup plans to move to locations with power during an emergency or have a generator on hand for their use. To sign up for medically essential service, have your doctor complete a medically essential service form. These forms can be picked up at any district office or downloaded from the co-op’s website. The medically essential form must be updated each year. 

Members who require medical equipment should also make sure to register with the “Special Needs Registry Shelter Program,” which is overseen by the emergency management agency in your county. This program is designed to provide hurricane or disaster-related evacuation assistance and care for those without other alternatives. If you need transportation assistance or have a health/medical condition that requires medical attention while at a shelter, you should register for this program. If you are a client of a hospice or home health care agency, you should ensure that they have already registered you into the system. This registration helps the local emergency management agency identify those in need of assistance and plan for resource allocation to meet those needs. Persons with special needs may authorize emergency response personnel to enter their homes during search-and-rescue operations, if necessary, to ensure their safety and welfare following disasters. The Special Needs Registry Shelter Program information must also be updated each year.

If you have questions about WFEC’s medically essential service, please contact your local district office for assistance. If you would like to sign up for or have questions about the “Special Needs Registry Shelter Program,” please contact your local emergency management office.