The Commitment of Electric Lineworkers
By Clay Fitch
National studies consistently rank power line installers and repairers among the most dangerous jobs in the country. Laboring high in the air, wearing heavy equipment and working 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.
Wells Rural Electric Co. lineworkers are responsible for keeping power flowing day and night, regardless of national holidays, vacations, birthdays, weddings or other important milestones. Beyond the years of specialized training and apprenticeships, it takes internal fortitude and a service-oriented mentality to be a good lineworker. The job requires lineworkers to set aside their personal priorities to better serve their local community.
Family Support System
To perform their jobs successfully, lineworkers depend on 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 lineworker’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
In northern Nevada and across the country, electric co-op lineworkers’ mission focused mentality of helping others often extends beyond their commitment to their work at the co-op. Lineworkers are often familiar figures in the community. WREC’s linemen can be found coaching youth sports
teams and volunteering for local charities and causes.
Thank You
Monday, April 8, is Lineworker Appreciation Day. Given the dedication of WREC’s lineworkers, 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 the town, please offer them a thank you as well.
Photo by Layla Welsh
Committed to the job.
Committed to safety.
Committed to you,
our members
Lineworker Appreciation Day — April 8, 2019
