CEO Column: Lineworkers are our neighborhood heroes

When you think of Trico we hope that you think of excellent service, great reliability and value, and the fact that you are a Member of our not-for-profit cooperative. We also hope that you think of our Lineworkers.

We have a great team at Trico, full of caring, expert, and service-focused employees in every department. Still, at the heart of our cooperative are the Lineworkers who you see working out in the communities we serve, building and upgrading our system, and responding to make repairs when needed.

Lineworker Appreciation Day occurs annually in April, and this year it is on April 14th. It is an opportunity to reflect on the essential role our Lineworkers play in our community and in our daily lives. It can be easy to take it for granted that the power will be there when you need it, but it takes a team of people to make that happen. This year I thought I would share some details on what makes Lineworkers essential and how their dedication supports us all.

Our Lineworkers start their day before sunrise, working through their day clad in flame-resistant clothing, safety goggles, rubber gloves, and heavy boots. It is not the most comfortable uniform, but it helps protect them from the hazards of working with high-voltage facilities. Our crews take safety seriously, making sure that no matter the task they are taking the proper precautions. They are also focused on making sure their co-workers are working safely. You will hear the terms “brother’s keeper” and “sister’s keeper” used often, as a signal that each person has a duty to help keep their teammates safe.

Trico’s crews travel across our large service territory, building, maintaining and repairing our system. As our system grows more complex and new technologies are added, our crews learn, innovate, and adapt to ensure they have the expertise to support a modern grid. Their extraordinary skills ensure our homes remain connected to the grid, businesses stay operational, and emergency services remain accessible.

They are the definition of dedication throughout the year, and during the summer our crews work long hours to minimize the impact of monsoon storms by responding at all hours to make repairs, even in difficult conditions. Whether repairing storm-ravaged power lines or ensuring continuity during emergencies, their strong commitment ensures power is flowing when we need it most.

Trico Lineworkers also answer the call beyond the borders of Trico’s service territory. Our crews have traveled to support fellow co-ops across the state (and even outside the state) when widespread emergencies and outages have occurred, and additional support is needed. We have also called on our partners across the state in times of need. Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our guiding principles, and no one embodies this better than Lineworkers.

At our office we have a large room where the Lineworkers meet, complete their administrative tasks, and attend training classes. The walls of that room are covered with posters expressing messages of thanks from our employees and Members for our Lineworkers’ efforts during storms, wildfires, and everyday challenges. It is our co-op’s way of recognizing the often heroic work the Lineworkers perform.

This month we invite you, our Members, to help us in celebrating the remarkable men and women who ensure reliable power, and recognize their steadfast dedication to our community.

Thank you to our Lineworkers and thank you for being a valued Trico Member!