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Florida Lineman Competition

Florida Municipal Electric Association Announces Annual Florida Lineman Competition Winners

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Lineworkers from across the state competed for top honors at the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) 18th annual Florida Lineman Competition. A crowd of hundreds looked on as lineworkers put their skills to the test performing tasks they encounter in real-world scenarios. Tasks range from replacing cross arm beams to relocating transformers to a simulation of rescuing an injured lineman. Competitors earn points for completing the tasks as quickly as possible and lose points if safety standards and proper work practices are not met. This year’s event was hosted by Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) and was held at Osceola Heritage Park.

More than 130 lineworkers participated, including teams and apprentices from Tallahassee, JEA (Jacksonville), Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), Beaches Energy (Jacksonville Beach), KUA, City of Alachua, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority and Ocala, as well competitors from Talquin Electric Cooperative, Clay Electric Cooperative, City of Thomasville, GA, and as far away as Colorado Springs, CO.  Journeymen teams, which include at least one lineworker who has been in the industry for at least five years, are made up of three lineworkers. Apprentices, or lineworkers in training, competed individually.

This year, the Overall Journeymen Team Winners Cup went to Robert Hess, Brian Gregg and Greg Johnson from JEA. Taking home the Overall Apprentice award was Justin Johnson of the City of Tallahassee.

“The annual lineman competition showcases the work lineworkers do on a daily basis and provides people with an opportunity to see linework in action,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “We extend our congratulations to the winners and our deepest appreciation to all the lineworkers across the state who literally put their lives on the line every day. Their impact on their communities is profound as we recently witnessed following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We thank them for their service.”

Established in 2001 by the FMEA, the Florida Lineman Competition brings together public power lineworkers from across the state to demonstrate their skill and knowledge in the craft of line work. At the competition, journeyman and apprentices compete for professional recognition, attend training courses and practice essential skills in a safe environment. The competition encourages safety awareness, teamwork and networking with other utilities.

For more information on FMEA and the Florida Lineman Competition, please visit publicpower.com.

Florida Municipal Electric Association’s 18th Annual Florida Lineman Competition Starts Friday

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Electric lineworkers from across the state are getting ready to compete in the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) 18th annual Florida Lineman Competition this Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10. Lineworkers will put their skills to the test by performing tasks they encounter in real-world scenarios. This year, the event is hosted by Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) and will be held at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the competition on Saturday, March 10, which starts at 8 a.m. with an opening ceremony. Admission and parking are free. Those wishing to attend should bring a blanket or chairs for sitting. Picnic lunches and coolers are permitted. There are also concessions available onsite.

For a competition agenda, click here.

The tasks competitors encounter range from replacing cross arm beams to relocating transformers to a simulation of rescuing an injured lineman. Competitors earn points for completing the tasks as quickly as possible and lose points if safety standards and proper work practices are not met. Journeymen teams, which include at least one lineworker who has been in the industry for at least five years, are made up of three lineworkers. Apprentices, or lineworkers in training, compete individually. The competition typically draws between 150 and 200 participants.

Winners will be recognized at a banquet Saturday evening.

“After the last two hurricane seasons, there is definitely a much deeper appreciation of the work linemen do. The Florida Lineman Competition is a great opportunity for the public to see these lineworkers in action and develop a better understanding of their craft,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director.

Established in 2001 by the FMEA, the Florida Lineman Competition brings together public power lineworkers from across the state to demonstrate their skill and knowledge in the craft of line work. At the competition, journeyman and apprentices compete for professional recognition, attend training courses and practice essential skills in a safe environment. The competition encourages safety awareness, teamwork and networking with other utilities.

For more information on FMEA and the Florida Lineman Competition, please visit publicpower.com.

FMEA Announces Annual Lineman Competition Winners

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Florida Linemen Recognized at the Florida Municipal Electric
Association 17th Annual Florida Lineman Competition

Lineworkers from across the state competed for top honors this past weekend at the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) 17th annual Florida Lineman Competition. A crowd of more than a thousand looked on as lineworkers put their skills to the test performing tasks they encounter in real-world scenarios. Tasks range from replacing cross arm beams to relocating transformers to rescuing an injured lineman. Competitors earn points for completing the tasks as quickly as possible and lose points if safety standards and proper work practices are not met. This year’s event was hosted by Lakeland Electric and held at Tigertown Complex in Lakeland.
More than 150 lineworkers participated, including teams and apprentices from Lakeland Electric, Keys Energy (Key West), Tallahassee, JEA (Jacksonville), Alachua, Lake Worth, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), Orlando Utilities Commission, Beaches Energy (Jacksonville Beach), Kissimmee Utility Authority and Ocala, as well competitors from Talquin Electric Cooperative, Clay Electric Cooperative and Scottsburg, IN.
Journeymen, those have been in the industry for at least five years, competed in teams of three. Apprentices, or lineworkers in training, competed individually.
This year, the Overall Journeymen Team Winners Cup went to Terry Cobb, Nick Ellis and Jason Smith from the City of Tallahassee electric utility. Taking home the Overall Apprentice award was Mike Morgan of GRU.
“The annual lineman competition showcases the work lineworkers do on a daily basis and provide people with an opportunity to see linework in action,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Interim Executive Director. “We extend our congratulations to the winners and our deepest appreciation to all the lineworkers across the state who literally put their lives on the line every day. Their impact on their communities is profound as we recently witnessed following Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew. We thank them for their service.”
Established in 2001 by the FMEA, the Florida Lineman Competition brings together public power lineworkers from across the state to demonstrate their skill and knowledge in the craft of line work. At the competition, journeyman and apprentices compete for professional recognition, attend training courses and practice essential skills in a safe environment. The competition encourages safety awareness, teamwork and networking with other utilities.
For more information on FMEA and the Florida Lineman Competition, please visit www.publicpower.com. 
The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 34 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.