The Florida Lineman Competition, which was established by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), will take place Friday, Feb. 25, through Saturday, Feb. 26. Last year’s competition was cancelled due to COVID-19, but this year marks its return. Electric lineworkers from all over the state will come together to demonstrate their skill and knowledge in the craft of line work. Hosted by Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, the competition will take place at the Havert L. Fenn Center in Fort Pierce.
Competitors will take on various challenges such as replacing crossarms and insulators on utility poles, changing out transformers and completing a simulation of rescuing injured lineworkers. Competitors earn points for completing the tasks as quickly as possible and lose points if safety standards and proper work practices are not followed. Journeyman teams, which include at least one lineworker who has been in the industry for five years or more, are made up of three lineworkers. Apprentices, or lineworkers in training, compete individually.
This year, 20 journeyman linemen teams, which total 65 journeyman competitors, 72 apprentices, and 43 judges from 11 utilities will participate.
The winners will be announced at an awards banquet on Saturday evening.
“This event gives lineworkers the chance to showcase their skills and demonstrate the type of work they do day-to-day in a fun and safe environment,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “We are extremely excited that the event is returning this year. Electric utility customers across the state will be able to see just how hard our Florida linemen work to ensure they are getting power safely and reliably.”
The event is free and open to the public. FMEA encourages members of the public to come out, bring their families, and enjoy the competition on Saturday, starting with the opening ceremony at 8 a.m. Activities for children, including a bounce house and children’s area, and food trucks will be on-site. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Coolers are permitted, and parking is free.
At the competition, journeyman linemen and apprentices can compete for professional recognition, attend training courses and practice essential skills.
View the event agenda and map here. For more information on FMEA and the Florida Lineman Competition, please visit www.flpublicpower.com.
The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 33 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.
