Storm & Outage Center
EMEPA joins others around the country in celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day — a day to recognize the commitment to members and dedication to safety that line workers exhibit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Employees, family, and friends are encouraged to participate on April 18 by sharing messages of support using the #thankalineman hashtag on their favorite social media channels or on EMEPA’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Recognized as one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, line workers often face challenging conditions in the field, especially following severe weather like hurricanes, tornadoes, and other storms. In fact, they average 16-hour workdays during natural disasters, often away from their own homes and families.
Lyle Keenan, line foreman in Quitman, says although storm restoration can be challenging, it is extremely gratifying.
“The most rewarding part of being a line worker is the ability to restore power to our members in their time of need,” said Keenan. “After a storm rolls through, we all come together as a team to safely repair the damage and get the lights back on as soon as possible. We also travel to help other communities when needed, and it is a good feeling to bring a sense of normalcy back for them as well.”
Restoring power after severe weather isn’t the only function line workers undertake. They’re also responsible for the construction and maintenance of EMEPA’s facilities, namely the transmission and distribution system that delivers power to homes and businesses.
Kevin Brown, line foreman in Meridian, says that the day-to-day work can be just as rewarding as storm restoration.
“I enjoy seeing the satisfaction on our members’ faces when we show up for a job,” said Brown. “Most people are happy to see us out and about in the community, whether we’re installing new service, performing routine maintenance, or troubleshooting an issue. It’s a good feeling to know we’re able to be of service and provide the power that is essential to daily life.”
Because working with high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills and experience, becoming a lineman requires a significant investment in time and training. Line workers also must possess physical strength, mental focus, a teamwork mindset, and an unwavering commitment to safety.
Along with engineers, construction crews, tree trimmers, and other employees, EMEPA’s line workers power 5,750 miles of line serving 37,815 electric meters.
As safety and training coordinator, David Akin says that safety is always the top priority no matter what the job entails.
“There is nothing more important than going home at the end of each day the same way you came to work that morning,” said Akin. “And no job is worth anyone’s life. That’s why I am out there in the field right along with our crews, communicating with them, answering any questions, and making sure they have the PPE they need to protect themselves and those around them. To me, that’s the most rewarding part of the job — helping our employees maintain a safe working environment.”
April 18 was designated as National Lineman Appreciation Day by the U.S. Senate following Superstorm Sandy. America’s electric cooperatives celebrate line workers the second Monday in April, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers take a moment each July 10 to celebrate the men and women who keep our power flowing and memorialize those who have been injured or killed.
Please join us in recognizing our valued line workers who work tirelessly rain or shine. We salute them today and every day for all they do to keep the power flowing to our members.