Every April, we take a moment to recognize cooperative lineworkers and the rest of the cooperative team that supports them daily. The lineworkers have been the first responders of the utility industry for decades before the pandemic and have remained first responders during the unprecedented COVID-19 period.

Certainly, first responders such as nurses, doctors, emergency medical and fire personnel, and police and sheriff officers deserve the spotlight when it comes to serving the public daily. Our region, state and country are blessed to have quality and dedicated first responders that act as separate but coordinated teams to serve others selflessly.

Nurses and doctors administer invaluable care that saves lives and provides comfort to people stricken with illness and injury of all types. Electricity powers the alarm that wakes them, the water pump that showers them, and the lights at the hospital that welcome them. Lineworkers make all that possible.

When ambulances pull onto the scene of a car that has hit a power pole, causing wires to come down, lineworkers likely arrived ahead of them to shut down the deadly electricity and make the scene safe. Often, the bucket truck and the lineworkers are out of any photos as they watch over the safety of everyone. Then, when flashing lights disappear and the news story is over, the lineworkers set about the work of repairing the damage and restoring the power.

There are lineworkers in the shadows holding a pulled meter or the insulated stick that disconnected the transformer at almost every house fire. There is a brief nod or conversation between the lineworkers and the firefighters to verify no electric hazards while fighting the blaze.

Law enforcement personnel often have to leave home at a moment’s notice. The flip of a switch helps them find their boots and gear. The electric garage door opens at the push of a button. The street lights illuminate the darkness and make the street signs visible. Lineworkers make all that possible 24/7/365.

COVID-19 has put a spotlight on the deserving first responders regularly in the beacon’s glow. In keeping with the lineworkers’ tradition of providing service that allows other first responders to serve safely and efficiently, the lineworkers have remained in the shadows.

Throughout this last year, we have fought to ensure lineworkers are classified as first responders equal to the others mentioned above. But when the time came to allocate vaccinations, lineworkers were not treated as first responders.

The lineworkers continued to serve. They always will. Respect and recognition are not needed. They have survived the pandemic thus far and will take pride in doing so without assistance from any governmental agency.

The lineworkers know that doing their job well means that the lights are always on and the scene is always safe. In the utility business, consistency means that you get taken for granted. It is part of the success of the industry. Lineworkers drive trucks that are big, bold, and easy to see. The essential and critical service is what so often remains out of mind.

Please join me in thanking the lineworkers for being a vital part of the first responder team in our region. I remain proud of all cooperative lineworkers and their fellow employees