The power behind YOUR POWER

Every year in April, electric utilities across the country recognize Lineworker Appreciation Day.

We talk about the di culty of the job, the long hours in terrible weather and very dangerous situations. We praise their skills, their dedication, and the sacrifices they make to keep the lights on for our members.

That message has never been more personal, or more important, to me — and to all of us here at Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative — than it is this year.

In December, we lost one of our own, Blake Rodgers, in an electrical contact incident that occurred as he was working to restore power in zero-degree weather. This tragedy brings home to us just how much our lineworkers give in their mission to provide electricity to our members. Lineworkers are called into action to face many challenges that threaten the delivery of electricity: Severe weather, vehicle accidents, falling trees, transmission line issues, and even animals that damage power lines. The calls often come during the most violent thunderstorms, the deepest snow, the darkest nights, and most bitterly cold days — times when most people are hunkered down in the safety and comfort of their own homes.

Our lineworkers willingly answer those calls, just as Blake Rodgers did.

One of the most hazardous jobs

It’s not a glamorous job, and at its essence, it is inherently hazardous. Lineworkers regularly climb up 40 feet or more, carrying heavy equipment, and do delicate work near high-voltage lines. They wear the best protective equipment available, and they undergo rigorous training, all in an effort to maintain the highest possible level of safety.

Kent Eldridge CEO

The lineworker’s job today goes far beyond the highly visible aspects of climbing to the top of poles to repair wires. They are also information experts who can pinpoint an outage from miles away and utilize technology daily. In our service territory, our BREC linemen are responsible for keeping more than 2,500 miles of lines across nine counties working to bring power to your homes 24/7, regardless of the weather, holidays, or personal considerations.

While the increased use of technology means that some of the lineworker’s tools have changed over the years, their dedication to the job has not. My respect and admiration for these hard-working professionals has only increased in my 40 years in the electric utility field — ever since the day I made my first field visit to a work site and got that upclose look at the gear and the work. (They challenged me at the time to put on the gear and try to climb; fortunately, a supervisor was there to keep this 22-year-old “college boy,” as they affectionately named me, in my place: on the ground).

Express your gratitude

April 10 is o cially designated as Lineworker Appreciation Day. I’m asking you, our members, to join me in honoring all of the individuals who answer the calls, who face the dangers and make the sacrifices. I’m asking you to show your appreciation not only to lineworkers, but also to their families, who provide support while their loved ones work long hours in challenging conditions.

So, during the month of April, if you see a lineworker, please pause to say “thank you” to the power behind your power. Let them know you appreciate the hard work they do to keep the lights on. They deserve our gratitude. the lights on. They deserve our gratitude.