August 26 is Florida Lineworker Appreciation Day

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) will join the state tomorrow, August 26, to celebrate Florida Lineworker Appreciation Day in honor of the men and women who risk their lives daily to ensure reliable delivery of electricity throughout Florida. FMEA encourages people to recognize Florida’s lineworkers through social media by using the hashtags #ThankALineman and #LineworkerAppreciationDay.
“Lineworkers literally put their lives on the line every single day to make sure the lights go on when we flip that switch,” said Chip Merriam, FMEA President and Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) Vice President of Legislative, Regulatory & Compliance. “I commend and thank all of Florida’s lineworkers for their service to our communities.”
In 2012, the Florida House of Representatives created the annual appreciation day to be observed every August 26. The date was selected in remembrance of Marc Moore, a lineworker for Lakeland Electric, who was tragically killed while serving his community in 2002. In 2015 – the most recent data available – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics listed utility line work as one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.
Lineworkers not only serve their own communities, but others across the state and country. When disasters strike, such as last year’s Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew, lineworkers leave their families and homes to travel to neighboring cities and states working long hours under dangerous conditions to help restore power.
“After 11 years without a hurricane hitting the state, Hermine and Matthew really reminded us of the important role of lineworkers,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “They truly are our hometown heroes.”
FMEA also supports lineworkers through its FMEA Lineman Assistance Fund. The fund provides aid to lineworkers and their families when an on-the-job injury or loss of life creates a special need for aid and to help ease the burden of unexpected medical emergencies. Contributions to the fund can be made online at https://fs6.formsite.com/fmea/form152/secure_index.html.
For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit www.publicpower.com.