More than 300 volunteers have given assistance since Sunday.

Volunteers and Tulsa firefighters went door to door again Wednesday to hasten electricity restoration to those still without power.

Called "Operation Power Up!" the effort focused on ice storm victims who have sustained damage to weatherheads, the metal covering that protects utility wires from the elements.

Toppled trees or limbs that have jerked loose lines from a home can cause a short, increasing fire hazards, Tulsa Assistant Fire Marshal Doug Lewis said.

"Over 75 confirmed house fires last week were caused by when they turn on the electricity and that short begins to smoke," he said.

The city initiated the program for the health and safety of Tulsa residents. People who sign up can get relief from the city, which will cover the cost of weatherhead repairs.

The city plans to seek partial compensation for the costs of the program from state and federal governments.

"Anything that can help defray the costs is a good deal," said Tulsa District Fire Chief Steve Gage, who said more than 300 people have volunteered since Sunday.

Brenda Littlebear, who drove in from Sapulpa, was among the first volunteers to sign up Wednesday.

Wayne Holmes, who operates a ministry out of his home, showed up minutes later.

"I think Tulsans are pretty decent folks," he said. "You just have compassion for people. It's

Also canvassing neighborhoods were Tulsa City Councilors Roscoe Turner and Jack Henderson, whose districts in north Tulsa were among the hardest hit by the outages.

"This is a time of crisis," Henderson said. "We need to come together and realize that it's taken longer (for power restoration) because of all the destruction and damage that was caused by this ice storm."

Of particular concern to the pair were reports of threats made to utility workers. At least twice during the week, Tulsa police said, residents have threatened to harm or even shoot utility employees.

"We're wanting people just to hold on and let's be nice," Henderson said. "Let's let this thing get back up and get back to normal, and we'll have all the power on for everybody."

Volunteer and firefighting crews at five command posts fanned out across the city Wednesday, assessing damage to weatherheads, clearing debris for electricians and checking on residents' well-being.

Tulsa firefighters Derek Dixon and Eddie Mangold set out Wednesday morning from Station No. 24 in north Tulsa, ending up at a neighborhood a couple of miles south.

A knock at the door of Edna Tibbits produces good news: She has electricity but fears a tree limb dangling precariously over her driveway.

"Doesn't that look dangerous to you?" said Tibbits, who is handed a number for assistance.

About 20 minutes into the search, Mangold calls out from a backyard.

"We've got a winner," he said. "This one gets a yellow."

An electric meter pole is bent back from the house. Dixon wraps the tape around a mailbox to designate a weatherhead in need of repair.

"That's the damage we're looking for," Mangold said.

Rhett Morgan 581-8395
rhett.morgan@tulsaworld.com