Lineworkers are the backbone of our cooperative.
Working near high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills, experience and an ongoing mental toughness. Every April, we recognize lineworkers for their courage and commitment to powering everyday life.
Umatilla Electric employs over 20 Journeyman Lineworkers who work every day - in all weather conditions - to make sure our community has the power to live their lives.
The Danger
Many people know the danger of linework because of the proximity to high-voltage electricity. Our lineworkers have to be aware of their own surroundings and the safety of the person next to them. Crews work with an element of danger that requires concentration, with no margin for error. The environment compounds the pressure, because when power is needed most is usually when the weather is worst. Our Linemen work in storms with rain, wind, extreme heat and cold, in the dark, or on the side of the road next to fast-moving traffic. It’s dangerous, but they are well-trained and competent.
Lineworkers undergo years of training before they can become a Journeyman. A typical career begins as a groundperson, helping crews with tools and keeping job sites safe, then transition to apprentice status, which typically spans four years. After an apprenticeship, with more than 7,000 hours of training, an apprentice will transition to journeyman lineworker – when they’re considered officially trained in the field.
But the education is ongoing. Lineworkers continuously receive training to stay mindful of safety requirements and up to date on the latest equipment and procedures.
The Physical Demand
The daily expectations of a lineworker are physically demanding—loading heavy materials, climbing poles and in and out of buckets.
The Sacrifices
There are some sacrifices to being a lineworker. Often, lineworkers are first on the scene of an emergency, seeing things that are devastating like car accidents, structure fires and damage from severe storms. They receive calls all hours and in the middle of the night, often missing family activities and dinner at home.
Rewarding Work
The line crews are a brotherhood (and sisterhood). In line work, our crews depend on the person beside them in extreme circumstances. It’s a culture of trust, teamwork and service. Our linemen care about keeping the teammate beside them safe and the lights on for everybody else.
Umatilla Electric and its employees are members of this community. If your lights are off, there is a good chance ours are off too. So, you can trust that our linemen and staff are doing our best to get the lights back on as quickly and safely as possible – so you can get back to normal life.