The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) and Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) will launch a social media campaign next week showing appreciation for the Florida public power lineworkers who provide our communities with reliable power. The campaign will continue throughout the month of August highlighting linework as a fulfilling career that offers many benefits. Each year, Florida Lineworker Appreciation Day is recognized August 26. This year marks its 10^th anniversary, and the campaign will culminate on that day.

The campaign includes a series of videos that feature public power lineworkers from across the state sharing what linework means to them, why they went into the field, its benefits as a career and why others should consider entering the field. The videos will be shared through FMEA’s and FMPA’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.

“The hard work and dedication of our lineworkers does not go unnoticed,” said Jacob Williams, FMPA General Manager and CEO. “They leave their families, sometimes in the middle of the night or during a storm, to help their friends and neighbors stay cool in the Florida heat, so we are grateful for their commitment to ensure the power is flowing to our homes and businesses.”

Members of the public are encouraged to participate in the campaign by liking, sharing and retweeting the videos, as well as sending their own messages of thanks through social media using the hashtags #ThankALineman and #LineLife.

“Through our annual Florida Lineman Competition, I have personally witnessed the high level of camaraderie lineworkers have and the close connections lineworkers have with one another. They truly care about each other and are invested in each others’ lives and safety,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “Additionally, they are devoted to their communities, and we cannot thank them enough for being our hometown heroes.”

Florida Lineworker Appreciation Day was created by the Florida House of Representatives in 2012 to show gratitude to the men and women who risk their lives daily to ensure reliable delivery of electricity throughout the state. It was designated in memory of Marc Moore, a lineworker for Lakeland Electric, who died while on the job in 2002. There are nearly 1,000 public power lineworkers serving communities large and small throughout Florida.