When Duty Calls ... Linemen Answer

Story by Deborah Blue Winn

Paul Underwood

The classified ad for a particular job opportunity at your electric cooperative could read: Lineman Wanted — Must be able to perform complex technical job assignments under extreme and hazardous working conditions. Must be willing to work long and unpredictable hours and be available for weekend and holiday work. Must face terribly adverse conditions with a smile.

 This fabricated advertisement for a lineman’s job does not make the position sound very desirable. Yet in spite of the reality of these conditions, there are thousands of people throughout the United States who have willingly accepted the substantial challenge, persevered through the comprehensive learning process, and have become dedicated professionals in the electric cooperative industry. It takes a special breed to thrive (or survive) in a lineman’s job, and Paul Underwood is a member of that fraternity.

Paul is a lineman/serviceman at Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC) headquartered in Chase City, Va. To achieve his certification, he underwent four years of apprentice training, which included classroom time, written tests, extensive training through the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, and on-the-job instruction with crew members at his own cooperative.

“There was so much information to cram in,” he remarks. “It was such a relief to finally complete the program! Not everybody makes it.”

Being a line worker is a difficult job, as the hypothetical classified ad opposite frankly points out. Day-to-day assignments require that the lineman be hoisted by a bucket truck into the air to tediously perform tasks in extremely dangerous conditions. If the terrain of the job site won’t permit bucket-truck access, the lineman dons his climbing hooks, safety harness and 21-pound tool belt and scales to the top of a 40-foot wooden pole in a skillful manner that may look easy to onlookers but requires strength and technique.

In addition to being physically demanding, the electric cooperative lineman’s job is mentally challenging and requires knowledge, skill and the ability to stay laser-focused on what he is doing. He performs routine maintenance and system upgrades while the electric lines remain energized so that the members served by the cooperative will not experience any interruption to their power.

While working on electric lines or in the substation, the lineman is in close proximity to 7,200 and 14,400 volts of electricity, and he is aware of the danger. Therefore, he always wears his personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes his long-sleeve flame-retardant shirt, steel-toed boots, rubber sleeves that cover his arms and shoulders, thick rubber-insulated gloves to protect his hands and arms, his industry-approved hardhat, and safety glasses to shield his eyes. Even in 100-degree weather, he wears this cumbersome gear, making his working conditions even hotter.

For this reason, good communication among crew members is an essential part of working safely. “We never guess about anything or make assumptions,” says Paul. “Before we begin a job, we have a ‘tail-gate’ session to make certain everyone understands the plan and knows their role.” He adds, “And when we are working with energized lines, there’s no conversation going on among us about the ball game that was on TV last night, or where we plan to go on vacation. We don’t want to be distracted from the job at hand. We are watching out for each other the entire time.”

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative President and CEO, John C. Lee, Jr., comments, “These men put their lives in each other’s hands every day; and in doing so, they become far more than co-workers, they form an unbelievably strong bond.” He adds, “A lineman’s job requires skill, concentration, mental and physical strength, patience, common sense and good judgment; and it takes a unique individual to be a great lineman. He must be very tough, well-trained and always utilize his skills in a safe manner. Linemen are very, very proud of what they do.”

Linemen are “on call” 24/7 to be of service to those receiving electricity from the cooperative, and perhaps one of the most demanding parts of their job is when outages occur. In the middle of the night when a storm is raging, instead of rolling over in bed and going back to sleep after a loud thunderclap, the lineman may have just received an outage call and will jump out of bed to report to work. On a summer night he may be riding down a dark, muddy road looking for the cause of the outage as lightning flashes around him. In contrast, on a winter night he may be climbing a wet pole to make repairs while snow and sleet pelt him in the face. He is willing to brave any weather, day or night, in order to see that co-op members have electricity.

A lineman knows there will be times when his job will obligate him to be away from his family. Paul remembers, “Last December I was hoping I wouldn’t be called to work on the day of my daughter’s first birthday party. I didn’t want to miss that special occasion!” He pauses and adds with a smile, “There were no outage calls that day, so I was able to be there with her and the rest of my family. But I have missed Thanksgiving dinner, the opening of Christmas presents, my wife’s birthday and other family gatherings because I was working outages.”

Paul Underwood says there are many reasons for working safely, but his number-one reason is his family. Pictured are Paul, his wife Kendele and their daughter Taylynn. Photo by Kelly Welles Photography.

A lineman’s spouse and children must be supportive of his occupation and the role he plays in the community, and they must be willing to make sacrifices with him. Paul’s wife, Kendele, is very understanding and accepting of that responsibility. She proudly praises her husband, saying, “Paul is hardworking … he loves what he does, and it shows. It continuously amazes me how he doesn’t mind having to leave in the middle of the night, while it’s storming like crazy outdoors … whether it is snow, ice, rain, or a hurricane … to make his way out into the elements and work long, hard hours, not knowing when he will return home. He has a passion for helping others, and I really admire him.”

In spite of working in dangerous and adverse weather conditions, Paul says, “I like my job … everything about it. I enjoy what I do. It’s nice to get up in the morning and want to go to work.” Paul continues, “Yes, we make sacrifices, but everything we do is for our members. We understand how much they depend on their electric power, and that they are counting on us to keep it flowing.”

Paul mentions that there have been times when members have brought Gatorade and cookies to working linemen, and even plates of home-cooked meals. “I can’t explain how much that means to us after we’ve been working outages for hours non-stop,” Paul remarks. “And when members show gratitude by sending thank-you notes and emails or posting on Facebook, we really appreciate it.”

At the end of a hard day at work, Paul is tired, dirty and sweaty; but he drives home feeling a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment for the tasks he and his crew have completed that day. At home his young daughter, Taylynn, meets him at the door and gives Daddy a big hug. With her warm little hand she takes his hand and asks to go play on the swing set that he built for her. When they return to the house, Paul can take off his boots, cook some steaks on the grill, and spend some relaxing time with Kendele. She proudly remarks, “Paul juggles the roles of being a father, husband, friend, and dedicated lineman every day and, surprisingly, fulfills each perfectly.”

Whenever duty calls, the electric cooperative lineman is ready to respond and does so aggressively, whether it’s one member without power, or 1,000. He knows people are relying on him. Being a lineman is not merely an occupation, but is a willing commitment to the people he serves and the communities where he plies his important trade. He is driven by pride in his work and his concern for those who count on him to keep their lights on.

So whenever you see an electric lineman, give him a “thumbs up.” A big reason he takes such pride in a very tough job and faces adverse conditions with a smile is your appreciation.