Georgia Magazine - April 2021 - 20

COOPERATIVE CONCERNS

By Jackie Kennedy

Lineworker Appreciation Day
Commemorating the heroes who keep our power on

W

ith every storm comes a reminder of how important
electricity is in our daily lives. Without it, our homes
are frigid in winter and miserably hot in summer, our
appliances fail and access to information and entertainment is
disrupted.
While all electric utility employees work together to provide
power, on April 12 this year, electric cooperatives observe
Lineworker Appreciation Day to honor the frontline workers
who build and maintain the system that delivers electricity to
our homes and businesses. The second Monday in April was
selected in 2016 as the day to honor lineworkers each year
in Georgia.
" These are heroes who work in
all types of weather through all sorts
of obstacles to keep the power on, "
says Dennis Chastain, president/
CEO of Tucker-based Georgia Electric
Membership Corp., the statewide
association for electric membership

cooperatives (EMCs) in Georgia. " On a normal
summer day in Georgia, that may mean working
outside in 90-degree weather, but lineworkers
are also used to working in conditions far from
normal. Whether in snow and ice or raging winds,
our lineworkers go out to repair downed lines and
damaged equipment so our members can return to
their normal daily routines as soon as possible. "
Linework is routinely listed as one of the 10
most dangerous occupations in the United States.
The job involves climbing poles or being hoisted up
in buckets to work at great
heights near high-voltage
power lines. Due to the
complexities and inherent
dangers of the job, Georgia's
electric cooperative
lineworkers go through
extensive training, with
safety as the top priority.
" Their job is dangerous
and takes them away from
loved ones while others
hunker down at home with
their families, but you'll
seldom hear a lineworker
complain, " says Harry
Reeves, vice president of
training, education and
safety at Georgia EMC.
" Most of them express a
great passion for their jobs and gratification for being
involved in work that strongly impacts, serves and
benefits others. "
As an electric cooperative member, what can
you do to show lineworkers your appreciation?
That's easy. Send a note to your local electric
co-op thanking the lineworkers for the work they do.
If you see an EMC line crew making repairs in your
neighborhood, take a moment to stop and express
your gratitude. Be sure to thank them from a safe
distance so as not to interfere with their work.
And on April 12 especially, use the hashtag
#ThankALineman on social media, and encourage
your friends to do the same.
Jackie Kennedy is a freelance writer living in
LaGrange.

CARROLL EMC

While all electric
utility employees
work together to
provide power, on
April 12 this year,
electric cooperatives
observe Lineworker
Appreciation Day.

A lineman for Carrollton-based Carroll EMC makes repairs after a winter storm
damaged power lines.

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Georgia Magazine

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April 2021

3/10/21 9:59 PM
Georgia Magazine - April 2021

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