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Florida Public Power Lineworkers to be Honored at June Florida Cabinet Meeting

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MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO: Lineworkers from public power communities across the state

WHAT: Florida public power lineworkers will be recognized at the June 2018 Florida Cabinet meeting for their outstanding service to the state and their stellar performance in state and national competitions that showcase their skills and craft. A resolution honoring the state’s public power lineworkers will be presented by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Adam Putnam. [Read more…] about Florida Public Power Lineworkers to be Honored at June Florida Cabinet Meeting

Florida’s Public Power Communities Shine at National Lineworkers Rodeo

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Lineworkers from Florida public power communities had a standout year at the American Public Power Association’s 17th annual Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo, which took place April 27-28 in Wake Forest, N.C. Florida public power lineworkers took home awards in every event category except one. In three of the apprentice event categories, Florida public power linewokers swept the awards. The total number of awards bestowed on Florida apprentices and journeyman teams was 18 – more than any other state.

“The annual Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo is an opportunity for our linewokers to show off their skills in the trade and their commitment to safety. They were on the national stage and they really shone – showing everybody what Florida public power can do. We could not be more proud of them,” said Amy Zubaly, Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Executive Director. “Our congratulations to all the winners. It is well-deserved recognition.”

2018 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo winners from Florida include:

Apprentice – Overall
3rd – Austin Gunther, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida

Apprentice – Double Dead-End Bell Change Out
1st – Daniel Kelly, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida
2nd – Jack Battle, City of Tallahassee Electric Utility, Florida
3rd – Austin Gunther, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida

Apprentice – Hurtman Rescue
1st – Kort Key, Gainesville Regional Utilities, Florida

Apprentice – Rope Toss
1st – Josh Helton, City of Tallahassee Electric Utility, Florida
2nd – Jeremy Starr, JEA, Florida
3rd – Jack Battle, City of Tallahassee Electric Utility, Florida

Apprentice – Sidewalk Guy
1st – Jack Battle, City of Tallahassee Electric Utility, Florida
2nd – Josh Helton, City of Tallahassee Electric Utility, Florida
3rd –Tyler Homan, City of Ocala Utility Services, Florida

Apprentice – Written Test
3rd – Austin Gunther, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida

Journeyman – Overall
3rd – Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida: Austin Franey, Shane Paras, Billy White, and David Wolfe

Journeyman – 4kV Crossarm Change Out
3rd – Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida: Austin Franey, Shane Paras, Billy White, and David Wolfe

Journeyman – 4kV 600 Amp Switch Replacement
3rd – Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida: Austin Franey, Shane Paras, Billy White, and David Wolfe

Journeyman – Hurtman Rescue
2nd – Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida: Austin Franey, Shane Paras, Billy White, and David Wolfe
3rd – City of Tallahassee Electric Utility, Florida: Blake Burns, Keith Kirkpatrick, and James Sanders

Journeyman – 4kV Jumper Replacement
3rd – Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida: Austin Franey, Shane Paras, Billy White, and David Wolfe

Similar to the Florida Lineman Competition, the rodeo is a series of competitive events demonstrating lineworker skills and safe work practices. Events are judged based upon safety, work practices, neatness, ability, equipment handling, and timely event completion. There are two levels of competition within the rodeo – journeyman and apprentice. The journeyman teams consist of three members – two climbers and a ground person – and can include an optional alternate. A qualified journeyman has more than four years of experience within the electric utility trade. An apprentice lineworker has four or fewer years of experience.

Florida public power lineworkers were among 66 teams and 145 apprentices from community-owned electric utilities across the nation that participated.

During the rodeo, Joe Young, a former journeyman lineman with Gainesville Regional Utilities, was posthumously inducted into the International Lineman’s Hall of Fame. Young served the Gainesville community for 22 years, was an active member of FMEA and was highly involved in numerous state and national lineman competitions, both as a competitor and as Florida Lineman Competition Host Utility Field Coordinator.

“Florida lineworkers live by the motto: Safety-Excellence-Honor. Joe exemplified all these traits as a lineworker. While he is no longer with us, his legacy and memory will live on forever in our hearts and in the International Lineman’s Hall of Fame,” said Zubaly.

Florida Municipal Electric Association Recognizes Members for Worker Safety

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The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) recently honored 18 of its public power members for their continued commitment to safe work practices during the past year.

For the past 30 years, FMEA has recognized Florida public power utilities’ focus on worker safety as their top priority and their efforts to ensure crew safety. Utilities are placed into categories based on their total man-hours worked and rewarded for the most incident-free records. The incidence rate used to judge utilities was based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses compared to the total number of worker-hours during 2017, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“Public power utilities are a part of the fabric of their communities. Their employees are family, friends and neighbors, so ensuring their safety while at work is of paramount importance to everyone. I commend each member recognized for making the safety of their crews their number one priority,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director.

The recognition reflects FMEA members’ commitment to protecting workers’ safety, while also ensuring reliable electric service to the customers. In an industry where serious injuries and fatalities are possible, safety training is a critical component to preventing accidents and saving lives.

Awards were presented on March 10 at the FMEA Annual Florida Lineman Competition Awards Banquet in Kissimmee.

The following utilities were presented with a Safety Award in their category:

Category A (0-59,999 man-hours):
City of Blountstown – perfect record
City of Bushnell – perfect record
Town of Havana – perfect record
City of Mount Dora – perfect record
City of Newberry – perfect record
City of Chattahoochee – 2nd place
City of Alachua – 3rd place

Category B (60,000-199,999 man-hours):
Utilities Commission of New Smyrna Beach – perfect record
Homestead Public Services – 2nd place
City of Leesburg – 3rd place

Category C (200,000-399,999 man-hours):
Keys Energy Services – 1st place
Ocala Electric Utility – 2nd place

Category D (400,000-949,999 man-hours):
Gainesville Regional Utilities – 1st place
City of Tallahassee – 2nd place
Kissimmee Utility Authority – 3rd place

Category E (950,000-2,499,999 man-hours):
Orlando Utilities Commission – 1st place
Lakeland Electric – 2nd place

Category G (2,500,000-greater man-hours):
JEA – special recognition

Florida’s public power utilities are locally owned, locally controlled and locally operated enabling them to quickly respond to the needs of their communities. They are also among some of the most affordable and reliable power providers in the state.

For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit publicpower.com.

Florida Municipal Electric Association Announces Annual “Restoring Communities Award” Winners

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On Saturday, March 10, the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) bestowed its annual “Restoring Communities Awards” on Florida’s public power utilities who were recognized for their efforts to quickly and safely restore power to communities in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. All of FMEA’s member utilities received recognition this year as all were impacted by Hurricane Irma.

The awards were presented during the 18th Annual Florida Lineman Competition, March 9 – 10 in Kissimmee. For a complete list of winners, click here.

“After 11 relatively quiet years, Florida has now experienced two very active back-to-back hurricane seasons. This past season’s Hurricane Irma was a powerful and massive Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall in the Keys. The second strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded, Irma was wider than the Florida peninsula leaving few parts of the Sunshine State spared,” said Chip Merriam, FMEA President and vice president of legislative, regulatory & compliance for the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC). “All 34 of Florida’s public power utilities were affected. Despite the widespread impact of this storm, public power utilities responded quickly and safely, working through many challenges to restore power to all our customers as fast as possible.”

Statewide, nearly 7 million electric utility customers were without power following Hurricane Irma, including more than 827,000 public power customers. Public power utilities were able to restore power to more than half of their customers within 24 hours and 80 percent of all customers within 48 hours. More than 98 percent of public power customers were up within a week.

Hurricane Irma resulted in the largest pre-planned power restoration effort in U.S. history. Prior to the storm making landfall, FMEA activated mutual aid agreements across the country, lining up nearly 2,000 additional public power lineworkers to support the 1,000 public power lineworkers in our communities. Crews and equipment from 200 municipal electric utilities in 26 states and Canada were stationed inside and outside the state so they were ready to move into affected areas as soon as conditions were safe.

Following our own restoration efforts, Florida public power sent crews and equipment to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, also battered by Hurricane Irma and then hit hard by Hurricane Maria. More than 190 personnel from nine different public power communities responded to calls for assistance in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Power was only fully restored to the U.S. Virgin Islands just one week ago.

“We are incredibly grateful to all of the out-of-state and even out-of-country utility crews who came to our aid after Hurricane Irma. We’re also incredibly proud of our members who sent their crews to other communities in Florida to help out the areas most affected by Irma, as well as the linemen who left Florida to help our neighbors in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, many of whom left their families and homes during Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “Our members are more than hometown heroes and these awards recognize their dedication to not just their own communities, but to communities everywhere.”

Public power utilities can call on each other for emergency workers and supplies through mutual aid agreements. Florida’s public power utilities benefit from this strong network of partners within Florida and across the country through the American Public Power Association. These dependable connections have created a reliable system where member utilities both request and offer assistance. Mutual aid agreements are also in place with electric cooperatives and Florida’s investor-owned utilities in order to draw upon additional resources.

Municipal electric utilities provide affordable, reliable electric service, and have been doing so for more than a century. As community-owned and locally managed organizations, these utilities are able to focus on the unique needs and interests of their customers and have nimble and quick response times all while investing back into their communities.

For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit publicpower.com.

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.

Nicole Stookey Albers Joins FMEA as New Public Affairs Manager

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The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) today announced Nicole Stookey Albers as the association’s new public affairs manager. In her role at FMEA, Albers will manage the association’s legislative affairs and social media.
“Having been a part of state government and the political process for nearly 15 years, Nicole brings a wealth of legislative and governmental affairs experience to FMEA,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “She will be a great asset to our members as we work to advance the legislative agenda of the association.”
Prior to joining FMEA, Albers was Deputy Director, Office of Legislative Planning at the Florida Department of Health. Previous roles include Deputy Director, Office of Legislative Affairs at the Florida Department of Children and Families and Executive Director of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet. Additionally, she has held several positions within the Florida Department of Children and Families. Albers earned her Master of Science in Political Science, Applied American Politics and Policy, Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from Florida State University.
Originally called the Florida Municipal Utilities Association, FMEA was established in 1942 in response to World War II fuel shortages. Today, the association actively represents and advocates for member cities’ interests on a wide variety of state and federal issues, provides education and training for members and serves as a clearinghouse for industry news and information.
Municipal electric utilities provide affordable, reliable electric service, and have been doing so for more than a century. As community-owned and locally managed organizations, these utilities are focused on serving local needs and interests while reinvesting back into the community for services, such as police and fire protection.
For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit www.publicpower.com.

FMEA on Tropical Storm Nate

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Statement By:
Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association
Regarding Tropical Storm Nate

“While there is still much uncertainty surrounding Tropical Storm Nate’s ultimate strength and path, Florida’s municipal electric utilities are watching it closely and are prepared to bring in power restoration resources should this storm system become a threat to Florida’s Panhandle and the public power communities located there.
We have been in communication with our fellow public power utilities in other states that are also in the current path of Tropical Storm Nate. Our crews are ready to go to other Gulf coast states to assist them if needed and if Florida is not impacted.
We continue to be in close communication with Gov. Rick Scott and thank him for being helpful and proactive as we face yet another tropical storm system.”

Power Restored to 99 Percent of Public Power Customers Statewide

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The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) today reported that 99 percent of the state’s municipal electric utility customers have had their power restored following the devastation of Hurricane Irma. Approximately 18,500 municipal electric customers remain without power in Alachua, Duval, Marion, Monroe and Polk Counties.
With Hurricane Irma coming onshore in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm, Monroe County was the hardest hit and will take the longest to fully restore. Crews continue to work tirelessly to bring all Monroe County public power customers back online as soon as possible. Additional crews and resources have been sent to assist Keys Energy Services with their restoration efforts.
Municipal electric utilities with customers who remain without power are also assessing individual situations in their areas. Some customers without power may have sustained damage to their homes and businesses preventing power restoration. Any homes or businesses with damage to their weatherheads must first have those repaired or replaced by an electrician before power can be restored.
As of 12 p.m., FMEA reported the following county-by-county power outage information for its municipal utility members:

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.

Municipal Electric Utilities Working to Restore Power to Customers Across the State Following Hurricane Irma

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According to the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), there are approximately 500,000 municipal utility customers without power following the three days that Hurricane Irma battered the state. Hardest hit areas for municipal electric utilities include the Florida Keys, Homestead, Moore Haven, Clewiston, Wauchula, Lakeland, Bartow, Fort Meade, Orlando, Ocala and the Jacksonville area. Currently, 37 percent of municipal electric utility customers are without power, which is down from 61 percent yesterday.
Power has already been restored to an approximate 300,000 municipal electric utility customers. The City of Tallahassee electric utility and Kissimmee Utility Authority are close to 100 percent restoration and their available resources will be reassigned to other utilities once they are complete.
“Florida municipal electric utility workers, along with our fellow municipal electric utility lineworkers from other states and investor-owned utility personnel, immediately began working on power restoration efforts as soon as it was safe to do so following the incredible destruction and damage caused by Hurricane Irma. Crews are working nonstop to get power restored to all municipal electric utilities following this powerful national weather event.” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director.
Nearly a week before Hurricane Irma hit Florida’s shores, FMEA began coordinating with municipal, cooperative and investor-owned utilities across the state and nation to assemble crews prepared to enter the affected areas once safe to assist with power restoration efforts. There are currently 1,000 Florida-based public power lineworkers working on power restoration throughout the state and more than 1,000 additional public power personnel from other parts of the country assisting. Statewide, there are more than 30,000 total personnel helping to restore power.
Crews are already in Florida or on their way from Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia and across New England.
“Cooperation and assistance from others is critical during times like these. We greatly appreciation the help of personnel from public power and investor-owned utilities who left their homes and families to rush to our aid even before Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida,” added Zubaly.
FMEA reminds residents that there is still danger even after a storm has moved out of the area. Downed power lines pose a significant threat.  Residents should keep these important safety precautions in mind as they clean up after Hurricane Irma:

  • Never, ever touch a downed power line or go near one. Always assume the power line is live.
  • Do not touch anything or anyone in contact with a fallen power line or other equipment.
  • If a power line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle and call for help.
  • Do not pull tree limbs off power lines. Leave those for utility crews to safely handle.
  • Avoid areas with debris and downed trees. There could be live power lines hidden inside.
  • Also avoid chain link fences and puddles that could have become electrified by downed power lines.

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.