FDLC is a community built around a simple idea:
When somebody in our community is having a bad day, maybe the rest of us can make it a little easier.
Power outages, storms, fallen trees, damaged electrical services, and other unexpected problems can leave people frustrated and unsure where to turn.
Sometimes the answer is a utility company. Sometimes it’s a licensed professional. Sometimes it’s an emergency service. And sometimes somebody simply needs a neighbor willing to lend a hand.
FDLC is about bringing those people together.
We provide FDLC
Free / Fair • Dependable • Licensed • Certified
We ask for FDLC
Fair • Descriptive • Legitimate • Cautious
What does it mean to provide FDLC?
F — FREE / FAIR
Whenever we reasonably can, we want to help for free or for as little cost as possible. Nobody should be looking to profit from someone else’s emergency or bad situation.
Sometimes there will be unavoidable expenses—parts, materials, permits, inspections, fuel, or other costs. When there are, we’ll be upfront about them.
D — DEPENDABLE
If we say we’re going to be there, we’ll be there.
If circumstances change, we’ll communicate. Storms and emergencies can make schedules unpredictable, but people shouldn’t be left wondering whether help is still coming.
L — LICENSED
We only perform work that we’re properly licensed, qualified, and legally permitted to perform.
Helping someone doesn’t mean taking shortcuts or working outside our abilities.
C — CERTIFIED
When work requires permits, inspections, certifications, utility involvement, or approval from the proper authority, that’s part of doing the job correctly.
The goal isn’t just to get the lights back on.
It’s to get them back on safely and properly.
What we ask from our community
F — FAIR
Please don’t misuse people’s willingness to help.
Many of the people involved may be donating their skills, equipment, materials, or the little bit of free time they have. Please respect that.
D — DESCRIPTIVE
Tell us what’s happening.
Describe the problem as clearly as you can. Pictures can be extremely helpful when they can be taken safely. Tell us what happened, when it happened, and anything else you think might help someone understand the situation.
L — LEGITIMATE
Please keep requests genuine.
No spam, scams, fake emergencies, or taking advantage of people who are trying to do something good.
C — CAUTIOUS
Above everything else, be safe.
Never approach a downed wire, damaged electrical equipment, flooded electrical equipment, fallen trees tangled with wires, or another dangerous situation just to get a picture or investigate.
A picture isn’t worth getting hurt.
Why 29?
Growing up, one of my best friends wore number 29 when we played baseball together.
He was a smaller kid, but boy was he tough. He got bullied sometimes. People would take things from him, even his money. Sometimes they’d pay him back months later. Sometimes they wouldn’t pay him back at all.
But he wouldn’t back down.
He stood up for himself, worked hard, and refused to let people push him around just because they thought they could.
I’ve never forgotten that.
To me, 29 represents standing up for yourself—and standing beside somebody else when they could use a little backup.
That’s part of what I want FDLC to be.
You shouldn’t always have to stand there alone.
That’s 29.
The First 29
I’m looking for 29 people to join me.
Not 29 electricians. Not 29 contractors. And definitely not 29 people with a bunch of free time.
I’m looking for 29 people who are willing to help somebody when they can.
Maybe you’re an electrician, plumber, carpenter, tree worker, mechanic, utility worker, municipal employee, first responder, or another tradesperson.
Maybe you have a truck. Maybe you can pick up materials. Maybe you understand permits and inspections. Maybe you’re retired and have decades of knowledge somebody could use.
Or maybe you’re simply willing to lend somebody a hand.
You don’t have to do everything. Just do what you’re able and qualified to do.
There is no minimum commitment.
Have an hour? Give an hour.
Have a Saturday? Give a Saturday.
Don’t have time this month? That’s okay too.
I’m going to be number 30.
30 People. 30 Days. 30 Projects.
Maybe we accomplish all 30. Maybe we accomplish 10. Maybe we discover a completely different way this community can help people.
This isn’t about hitting a number.
It’s about seeing what can happen when a group of ordinary people decides that when somebody nearby is having a bad day, maybe we can make it a little better.
Want to be one of the First 29? Join the community and tell us how you’d like to help.