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Lineworker Appreciation Day Was Tuesday
August 26, 2014
When Robert Duke was growing up in the Pensacola area, he spent a lot of time at a restaurant where Gulf Power linemen would come eat for lunch.
“I would talk to them a lot,” he said. “Then after Hurricane Frederick (in 1979), they came and worked in our yard. I got pumped up and said, ‘Man, I’m going to be a lineman one day.’”
Duke has been a lineman for Gulf Power for almost 27 years. As the state honors lineworkers across the state on Tuesday, August 26 with Lineworker Appreciation Day, Duke is proud that line crews are being recognized for the work they do to keep customer’s lights on.
“You’re in the field every day and not in the same place,” he said. “We work in the heat and sometimes it’s hard on your body. But it’s a good feeling knowing you are getting people’s lights on when they’re in a bind. That’s a big reward.”
Gulf Power is proud to salute its lineworkers, who work tirelessly to keep Northwest Florida’s electricity flowing.
“Gulf Power crews do a great job of keeping the lights on — but they’re often called away from their families to work nights and holidays to restore power following storms or traffic accidents for example,” said Wendell Smith, Gulf Power vice president of Power Delivery. “These men and women are truly heroes and this day is to honor them.”
Gulf Power has approximately 175 employees who work on the company’s transmission and distribution lines, which total more than 9,300 miles.
They have been especially busy this year in addition to their regular duties. Many were called away from their families in February during the ice storm in Pensacola and again in April when the floodwaters hit. In both events, they were able to restore power in less than 48 hours while working in hazardous conditions.
In 2012, the state Legislature made August 26 Lineworker Appreciation Day in Florida. It was created through the efforts of lawmakers and Tracy Moore, the widow of a Lakeland lineman, who was killed while working.
Part of Gulf Power’s mission is to lend assistance to other companies when natural disasters knock power out to hundreds of thousands of customers. Earlier this year, Gulf Power sent lineworkers to assist its sister company Georgia Power for a week following an ice storm. In 2013, Gulf Power sent crews out of state to assist other utilities on two different occasions. One of those was a trip to Alabama in March following a series of tornadoes. In December, crews worked to restore power in the Dallas area following an ice storm.
“Our award-winning lineworkers are committed to keeping the lights on, whether here in Northwest Florida or across the country,” Smith said. “That’s what they do and we’re proud they are being recognized for their efforts.”
NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
14 Responses to “Lineworker Appreciation Day Was Tuesday”
Really proud of my daddy!i love you…..keep working hard
Really proud of my daddy!i love you
Thank you Gulf Power Linemen for the work you do in our communities from Pensacola to Panama City everyday.
Angels in Bucket Trucks.
Thank you for all you do for us.
Know you each say, “Part of the job…” but it is Much More than that.
Take care of each other…..
WOO HOO! Thank you guys (and gals)! My son has worked with Gulf Power since straight out of High School thanks to the experience he received at West Florida High. He has a well deserved job as a lineman that he worked hard for. Please keep them all in your prayers as the job they perform each day is a dangerous one and they do it all to keep our power on.
This is a very well deserved honor. May God keep all of you in the palm of His hand
as you go out to these dangerous jobs.
We personally know Robert and he is a dedicated man always ready to serve.
I’m sure this is the norm for most power workers. CONGRATS to all.
Would love to thank every single one of you that risk your lives every day to help us and to make sure we have our power. There are alot of people out there that do not know to the full extent as to what all your job requires. I personally didn’t know what it all required until someone very very close to me started this type of work. it is a very scary job that has to be done. You are required to miss birthday’s holidays and family functions all due to weather and uncontrollable circumstances. Risking your lives everyday in the rain or shine, for people you don’t even know and will never met. I would like to thank each and everyone of you.
WTG Robert Duke ! 27 years is.a long time. I remember when you started with Gulf Power. We’re getting OLD !! Good Job Buddy … Looking Good !
Thank you, Linemen, for your hard work and dedication. Your efforts make a huge difference when our communities faceweather extremes and storm damage. I appreciate your sacrifies and professionalism.
My daddy was a lineman at Gulf Power for 35 years. He worked very hard to support a wife and 7 children . I remember him having to leave us many times during storms and praying he would come back home to us,and he did every time thank God. Many of y’all know him as Hockey Brown. Thanks to all the men and women for all y’all to risking your lives to keep us cool/warm and watching TV.
Great article, thank you to all of the men and women line personnel.
Perdiod Fisherman…I guess they are ‘crooks’ because you say so and you have the proof to back it up?
We do thank you all for the dangerous work you do. I’d like to say a special thanks to my brother-in-law, Darren Arrington. Prayers for your safety are said on a regular basis.
I know y’all are just doing your job, but i appreciate what y’all do and the risk y’all take. Thank you.
I however do not like the crooks y’all work for, can you say monopoly.
God Bless you guys for all you do! And your families for the sacrifices they make when you are called out. Y’all are the best! Thanks!