Up to the Task

We celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day April 8 — and every day

National studies consistently rank power-line installers and repairers among the most dangerous jobs in the country, and for good reason. Laboring high in the air wearing heavy equipment and working directly with high voltage creates the perfect storm of a dangerous and unforgiving profession. But electric lineworkers are up to the task. These brave men and women are committed to safety, as well as the challenges of the job.

Our linemen are responsible for keeping power flowing day and night, regardless of national holidays, vacations, birthdays, weddings or other important family milestones. Beyond the years of specialized training and apprenticeships, it takes mental strength and a mission-oriented outlook to be a good lineman. In fact, this service-oriented mentality is a hallmark characteristic of linemen. The job requires linemen to set aside their personal priorities to better serve their local community.

Family support system

To perform their jobs successfully, linemen depend on their years of training, experience and each other to get the job done safely.

Equally important is their reliance on a strong support system at home.

A lineman’s family understands and supports their loved one’s commitment to the greater community during severe storms and power outages.

This means in times of prolonged outages, the family and their lineworker may have minimal communication and not see each other for several days. Without strong family support and understanding, this challenging job would be all the more difficult.

Community commitment

Locally and across the country, electric co-op linemen’s mission-focused mentality of helping others often extends beyond their commitment to their work at the co-op. Linemen are often familiar figures in the community. They can be found coaching youth sports teams, volunteering for local charities and serving on local advisory boards.

Thank you

Monday, April 8, 2019, is Lineworker Appreciation Day. Given the dedication of LREC linemen, both on and off the job, I encourage you to take a moment and acknowledge the many contributions they make to our local community. And if you see their family members in the grocery store or out and about in town, please offer them a thank you, as well.