Veteran linesmen keep the lights on
It takes a lot of work to keep electricity flowing to homes during bad weather.
Eric Terwilliger and John Evankovich know that from experience.
Both have spent more than three decades working on power lines with Central Electric Cooperative, based in Parker.
“When the weather is at its worst, that's when we're out,” said Evankovich of Karns City.
The men are part of a 26-man linesmen crew at Central Electric. The crew has workers on call 24 hours a day.
“The phone can ring at 2 in the morning,” said Terwilliger of Parker. “It could be cold and raining outside, but you're going to work.”
Crews are also called out on weekends and holidays.
“We work to restore power to our members,” Evankovich said.
Central Electric has more than 3,000 miles of line spanning parts of seven counties, including Butler County.
The cooperative covers rural areas not covered by other power companies. It has about 25,000 members, averaging about 8 members per mile.
The job of keeping electricity flowing to each of those homes can be particularly difficult in the winter.
“Ice storms are the worst,” Terwilliger said. “You can't walk. You can't drive with ease. It's hard to climb up the poles. Without a doubt they're the worst.”
Terwilliger said windy summer storms also keep crews busy.
While storms are a frequent struggle for crews, workers for Central Electric also will travel outside the coverage area to help in times of emergency.
“We've been to Ohio, New Jersey, New York,” Evankovich said. “We've been all over the place.”
Terwilliger said one of his most memorable experiences was assisting with Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
But power lines face other challenges beyond mother nature. While fallen lines may be the most noticeable work done by the linesmen, that part of the job only takes about 15 percent of their time. Much of what they do is replacing and upgrading lines and poles for the nearly 80-year-old cooperative.
Crews also play an important role in assisting in car accidents involving poles.
Evankovich said working with emergency responders is a privilege.“Both fire departments and police officers are fantastic to work with,” he said. “We get out there to make sure the scene is safe for everyone.”For the linesmen, safety is the most important part of repairing down lines.“You can't see electricity,” Evankovich said. “Safety is our top priority.”Crews do prework checks on all their equipment daily. Their gear also is inspected monthly by an outside company to make sure it is safe.Evankovich said a live wire can be fatal and urged anyone who sees fallen lines to keep a distance.“Stay away from it,” he said. “It very easily could kill you.”While linesmen wear proper gear to help protect them from dangerous lines, they're also equipped with necessary knowledge for the job.Workers go through a four-year apprenticeship program before becoming a journeyman linesman.Once they become linesmen, they go through numerous training seminars and have schooling at least once per year.“Our training never stops,” Evankovich said.Central Electric also works with other cooperatives in the region to host training schools and other programs for workers.With education comes other job requirements.“It's a physically demanding job,” Evankovich said. “While they give us great equipment, sometimes you end up having to climb the pole by hand.”Surveying the rural countryside is no stroll through the park either.Terwilliger said there are personality traits linesmen need.“You can't be afraid of heights,” he said. “And I think you have to like being outdoors. We spend a lot of time in the wilderness.”The job also requires good family support, Terwilliger said.“I think we all have understanding families and wives,” he said. “It's sometimes hard for them when we're called out at all hours of the night.”Evankovich said he and Terwilliger grew up together on the job.Now the men are helping the next generation of linesmen.“We're crew leaders now,” Evankovich said. “We're out helping the younger guys.”While it's tough work, both men said it is well worth it.“It's entertaining, rewarding, and challenging,” Terwilliger said. “I think it's something worthwhile.”
