GreyStone Power linemen win first place at International Lineman’s Rodeo
GreyStone Power’s linemen fought through bands of driving rain from Hurricane Ike to give their best performance to date, winning first place against linemen from around the world on Sept. 13 at the International Lineman’s Rodeo.
The rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas showcases the agility and quickness required of people who work on tree-high poles strung with dangerous high voltage lines, rain or shine. Linemen compete in three-person teams and perform a series of routine utility tasks as quickly—and safely—as possible. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the competition, with linemen competing from utilities across America, Britain, Canada, Aruba and New Zealand.
“The training through the rodeo program makes our employees better linemen and helps us improve our service to members,” says Vice President of Operations & Engineering Bill Sharpton. “The hours of personal practice time leading up to the event is unique and the competition drives the linemen to be better. Another benefit of the competition is how safety is stressed throughout the event. The rodeo focuses on safety more than anything else. A team could have the fastest time in the world but if they make a safety mistake it doesn’t matter—they’ll lose.”
GreyStone Power sent 11 linemen and apprentices to the competition. The team of Patrick LeCroy, Josh Jones, Tim Costner and coach Jeremy Brown won first place overall in the electric cooperative (EMC) division. The team of Tony Brown, Matt Williams, John Atcheson and coach Derek Carruth placed fifth overall in the same division, giving Georgia a strong showing in the highly competitive event.
More than 200 teams of linemen from EMCs, investor-owned utilities and municipal utilities competed Sept. 13. A highlight of the linemen events is the Hurt Man Rescue. Since the ability to quickly rescue a hurt lineman is critical, the Hurt Man Rescue event challenges linemen to put on their gear, climb a pole, then release and lower a 170-pound mannequin from the top of the pole to the ground, safely. Linemen also competed in three pole climbing events where timing, safety and precision were judged.
Apprentice linemen competed in separate events as they train to become full-fledged linemen, including a written test, the Hurt Man Rescue, a test on effective CPR techniques and two pole climbing events. Charlie Camp, Scott Buchanan and Taylor Shadrix competed as apprentices, and Camp won second place overall in the electric cooperative division.
Several GreyStone Power linemen served as judges for the competition, including Kelly Jones, Steve Jenkins and Josh Kirby. Sharpton and Construction Department Manager Steve Findley attended to support GreyStone’s competing employees.
“I’m proud of them—they’ve been working a long time to earn this,” says Findley. “Winning first place is a bigger accomplishment than winning individual events. It shows that no matter what situation they find themselves in while serving our members, they’ll excel quickly and safely.”
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