Hometown heroes honored for reliable service, safety and dedication to the community

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 26, 2015 – Florida’s electric lineworkers are being honored today as part of Lineworker Appreciation Day for their dedicated service in dangerous and sometimes difficult conditions.

The Florida House of Representatives voted in 2012 to designate Aug. 26 as the annual “Lineworker Appreciation Day” to honor the thousands of men and women who risk their lives every day to ensure the reliable delivery of electricity.

“Electric lineworkers are true hometown heroes, giving their all every day to deliver the electricity we all depend on,” said Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) General Manager and CEO Nicholas Guarriello.

The lineworkers of Florida’s municipal electric utilities work rain or shine around the clock to deliver exceptional reliability. The fact that municipal electric utilities have offered the quickest average repair time to customers for the past 11 years is a testament to their service and dedication.

FMPA recognizes Florida lineworkers’ skill by sponsoring the top prize for the annual Florida Lineman Competition. The competition’s top-rated apprentice and journeyman team each win travel expenses to attend the national lineworker’s competition.

Lineworkers perform complex tasks in sometimes challenging situations, including heights of more than three stories and in all types of weather conditions. Safety is paramount, so FMPA offers a variety of safety training programs to its members’ lineworkers. Programs include:

• Monthly interactive lineworker safety meetings conducted by experienced utility safety professionals.
• Semi-annual Lineman’s Roundtable, which allows crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools and equipment, and any other common issues.
• Three levels of comprehensive training programs that enable lineworkers to advance their skills and their careers.

Florida’s lineworkers are also known for their generosity to their neighbors. Not only do they serve their own communities, but they participate in a statewide network to assist other communities in need.

“For all they do for our communities, FMPA and its members celebrate Florida’s lineworkers on this special day and support their training and development needs throughout the year,” said Guarriello.

#    #   #

Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power company owned by 31 municipal electric utilities. FMPA provides economies of scale in power generation and related services to support community-owned electric utilities. The members of FMPA serve approximately two million Floridians.