Linemen practice for rodeo in September
SIMPSON COUNTY, Ky. – Linemen with Warren RECC took to the field today to practice their trade on a time limit. They are practicing for the lineman rodeo, which takes place at the end of September.
The rodeo consists of teams from cooperative power suppliers in the commonwealth coming together and competing in tasks, such as replacing powerline equipment and even pulling and injured dummy worker off of the line.
Bradley Blanton, an apprentice lineman with WRECC, says he likes to represent his company well when he is out in the field at the competition.
“We want to be fast and efficient, getting the power back on. But at the same time, safety is the main thing. You want to go home. At the end of the day, everybody does. That’s the goal,” Blanton said.
For managers, such as Franklin district manager Zak Wren, it gives the opportunity to have their worker train with those that may be spread across multiple counties that are serviced by the same utility. This means that when storms or other issues arise, their people are able to quickly and safely work together and resolve electrical outages.
“They watch each other learn new tricks. Watch what somebody else is doing and they learn from it. It’s good camaraderie for our employees and let’s all the guys come together and get to know a little bit about each other, work together a little bit better,” Wren said.
