JACKSONVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) workers are still energized from a winning weekend at the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) competition.

OEU competed in the FMEA Lineman Rodeo in Jacksonville last weekend.

Ocala Electric Utility employees brought home a lot of hardware from the 2024 Florida Lineman Competition held last weekend in Jacksonville.

A trio from OEU received the 2024 Overall Journeyman Team Winners Cup. The winning OEU team consisted of Mathew Brown, Tyler Homan and Hank Pearson.

FMEA says participants compete in various challenges like changing out fuses, replacing wires, disconnecting power lines and completing a simulation of rescuing injured lineworkers.

“Competitors earn points for completing the tasks as quickly as possible and lost points if safety standards and proper work practices were not followed,” said FMEA in a news release.

Journeyman teams are made up of three lineworkers including at least one who has been in the industry for five years or more. FMEA says apprentices are lineworkers-in-training and compete individually.

Here’s how OEU placed in the competition:

Apprentice Events
1st Place in Polymer Bell & Fuse C/O – Evan Vandeventer
3rd Place in Polymer Bell & Fuse C/O – Kyle Kalbaugh

Journeyman Team Events
1st Place Overall – Mathew Brown, Tyler Homan, Hank Pearson
1st Place in Hurtman Rescue – Mathew Brown, Tyler Homan, Hank Pearson
1st Place in 35kV Suspension Bell Change Out – Mathew Brown, Tyler Homan, Hank Pearson
1st Place in Mystery Event – Crossarm Addition (Buckarm Build) – Mathew Brown, Tyler Homan, Hank Pearson

Mutual Aid Event
2nd Place in Mutual Aid Event – Hank Pearson with teammates from Lakeland Electric and Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA)

FMEA says more than 215 electric utility workers from 15 Florida utilities participated in the Lineman Rodeo.

“Congratulations to all the winners who not only demonstrated their talents and abilities, but also their commitment to on-the-job safety and providing the best possible service to their communities,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director.

The City of Ocala says OEU also received third place in an annual safety award.

The safety records are evaluated against other similar-sized utilities. OEU competes in Category B. The city says categories are based on total worker hours and rewarded for the most incident-free records.

“To provide reliable power, Florida lineworkers and power crews are frequently engaged in dangerous work that can place them at risk of serious or fatal injuries, which is why public power utilities place a significant emphasis on safety and training,” said the city in a news release.

“OEU staff is committed to providing safe, reliable power to our customers,” said Glen Moehling, Utility Safety and Training Coordinator. “Fostering a culture of safety in the workforce involves creating an environment where safety is not just a priority, but an integral part of everyday operations and mindset. Our team is proud to have this safety conscience mindset.”

The City of Ocala says OEU received third place in an annual safety award.