Thanking Those That Keep Your Power On For Lineworker Appreciation Day

August 26, 2020

This year more than ever there’s been a lot of reasons to celebrate lineworkers on Lineworker Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Through thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms and even wildfires, the approximately 180 Gulf Power lineworkers have been busy this year. This weekend, Gulf Power was on alert as two hurricanes approached the Gulf of Mexico. While there does not appear to be an immediate threat to Northwest Florida, crews are ready to assist utilities to the west of us if needed.

And of course, the Gulf Power team has been working all of these events during a pandemic. The coronavirus has pushed the company to increase safety measures to protect its workers as well as customers while ensuring the lights stay on.

“Our lineworkers do such an incredible job each day and to add in the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been amazing to see their professionalism and high level of commitment to our customers and each other,” said Mike Spoor, Gulf Power’s vice president of power delivery. “This year is especially a time to show our appreciation for our lineworkers.”

Gulf Power implemented safety protocols to protect our team from contracting the virus in March. Face coverings, social distancing, increased sanitation measures and wellness checks have added a different meaning to working safely.

While lineworkers work daily to maintain high reliability levels to Gulf Power customers, they have also responded to other emergency events this year, including some in support of other energy companies.

  • In April, a team of lineworkers and support personnel assisted Alabama Power following a series of tornadoes.
  • Later that month, crews worked safely and quickly to restore power to thousands of customers here in Northwest Florida when a series of storms spawned several tornadoes.
  • Wildfires came into play in May when a 2,000-acre fire swept through part of Santa Rosa County. Lineworkers restored power to about 1,100 customers who were affected by the blaze.

If that wasn’t enough, hurricane season started.

  • In early June, lineworkers and support personnel set to work when Tropical Storm Cristobal knocked out power to 25,000 Gulf Power customers in less than 24 hours.
  • A storm restoration team went to the eastern part of the state earlier this month to assist our FPL family when Hurricane Isaias was threatening Florida. The storm stayed offshore and did minimal damage but when it slammed into the Northeastern seaboard, another Gulf Power storm team traveled to New Jersey to assist with storm restoration there.

“In my 35 years in the utility industry, I don’t remember a year where there were so many different kinds of events where our lineworkers had to work to restore service to our customers,” Spoor said. “It’s a testament to their commitment and experience that they have battled adversity.”

Comments

9 Responses to “Thanking Those That Keep Your Power On For Lineworker Appreciation Day”

  1. Kathy Nelson on August 27th, 2020 1:08 pm

    Glad and proud to be a Lineman’s mom. Thank you Son – and to all of you for a job WELL DONE!!!! We truly appreciate all the sacrifices and risk your profession entails.
    He truly loves what he does and it shows in his life.

    Stay safe and keep up the good work!!!!! Prayers going up for all of you.

  2. BRANDY on August 27th, 2020 10:26 am

    Proud to be a linemans daughter. My Dad just retired last year and UNION proud. Like having lights and a/c restored quickly THANK A LINEMAN. IBEW <3 First responders just like the police and firefighters…

  3. Ron Pearson on August 26th, 2020 7:41 pm

    RETIRED Journeyman Lineman !!! If you Love your job like most Lineman DO! YOU never really work a day in your Life!!! I have met some Gulf Power guys on storm some where maybe Louisiana or Texas it was a Hurricane! After 35yrs its its kinda hard to keep up with all of them!!! Just take your time and Work SAFE !!!!! What’s depending on YOU coming HOME is worth that extra time it takes TO WORK SAFELY!!!!! UNION PROUD !!! BE PROUD OF YOUR GULF POWER GUYS!!! The Crew’s that I met were very Professional and Courteous!!! Keep up the good work guys SAFELY!!! MAY GOD BLESS AND PROTECT ALL OF US NOW GIVE IT HELL GUYS MAKE EM PROUD!!!!!!!!

  4. Linewife on August 26th, 2020 6:44 pm

    @SH… as a lineman’s wife your comment truly makes my blood boil. Sure he makes good money but there are MANY other jobs out there much less important that make good money also. As far as the benefits go, they have gone down since NextEra has taken over, but I’m not complaining because yes we have health insurance and are blessed for that. I can promise you that all of the linemen I know work hard every single day so that we can have power for everyday tasks. They are on call 24/7 365 no matter the weather or holiday. I can’t begin to tell you how many holidays, parties, dinners, bedtime kisses, and important events my husband and the other linemen have missed over the years because they have CHOSEN to do a job to serve the community and help restore the power. My husband loves his job and gets up every morning and tells his family goodbye to go help the community. All I can do is tell him I love you, be safe, and pray that he comes home safe. Most people have a job that if you make a mistake or are lazy there may be consequences, but if a lineman makes a mistake or is lazy and not paying attention I can promise you its not going to end well. Electricity is unforgiving and will kill you. So please don’t think just because a lineman makes good money and has good benefits they should not get recognition for everything they do and sacrifice. I love my lineman and I am so proud of everything he does every day. So @SH next time your power goes out and its 6pm pouring rain and dinnertime just remember, a lineman left his family’s dinner table, and is going to miss his kids bedtime to be able to come turn your power back on so you can finish your dinner, have a nice hot shower, and watch TV before bed.

    Thank you to all the lineman for all that you do and sacrifice every day.

  5. lw on August 26th, 2020 3:49 pm

    “Great pay and benefits”. Maybe, but while most of us are snug in our homes during thunderstorms, hurricanes, heat and cold these men are out working to restore our power as quickly and safely as possible. Not to mention working with something that is unforgiving should something go wrong. I am very thankful for the sacrifices they make each and every day.

  6. Linda on August 26th, 2020 10:14 am

    Thank you for all you do for us. You are surely a blessing!

  7. ekg on August 26th, 2020 9:10 am

    So happy line workers do their jobs! Thank you guys so much!!!

  8. molino resident on August 26th, 2020 8:54 am

    I just told my husband yesterday, “there is no better sight than seeing all those linemen show up after a hurricane.”

    They were heading West on I-10 yesterday, in droves. Citizens will be so excited to see them.

  9. SH on August 26th, 2020 8:14 am

    Thanks for doing your job for great pay and benefits. I’ll send you some more money this month.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News