Anthony Thurmond, line technician 5, races to the pole to save “Kool.”

Electric cooperatives play a vital role in providing electricity to communities across North Carolina. The linemen who work for these cooperatives are responsible for maintaining and repairing the electrical infrastructure that powers homes, businesses, and essential services. While their job is essential, it can also be dangerous. That’s why electric cooperative linemen undergo extensive safety training each year to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to work safely.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) each year requires our linemen to perform Pole Top Rescue drills. The rescue is a simulated emergency scenario where a lineman is injured while working at the top of a power pole. The co-op linemen, recognizing a victim in trouble on a power pole, must act quickly and lower the injured lineman to the ground.

Linemen must complete the following steps in less than five minutes to rescue a fellow lineman:

• Report an emergency radio call
• Gear up in their climbing gear
• Scale the pole
• Rig a rope to lower the victim to the ground safely
• Perform CPR and first aid

Pole Top Rescue drills are important in helping linemen develop the skills and confidence needed to act quickly and effectively in an emergency. Congratulations to this year’s quickest Pole Top Rescue finishers, Crew Supervisor Josh Morrison, who completed with the fastest time of 1:55; Journeyman Jacob Gordon, with a time of 2:05; and Crew Supervisor Colton Helms finished with a time of 2:10. On Oct. 26, Morrison will compete against other North Carolina cooperative linemen at Nash Community College in Rocky Mount.