On September 24, 40 highly skilled IBEW Local 96 electricians proudly joined with All-Pro Electric, of Haverhill, MA to provide electrical system safety checks and upgrades at homes in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover in the wake of the Merrimack Valley natural gas disaster. The inspections were being done in tandem with crews from IBEW Local 103 to ensure that electrical wiring in homes is able to support extra wattage required for space heaters. While Columbia Gas crews are making repairs to the gas lines, the National Guard is distributing space heaters to homes that can support them so residents have heat in the cooler fall weather. The Local 96 electrical crews worked for three weeks supporting the effort; Local 103 is continuing its work until natural gas is restored to all homes in the region.