Two Kankakee Valley REMC apprentice linemen will compete at the Indiana Electric Cooperative Lineman Rodeo on August 24-25 at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville. The two-day, family-friendly event showcases the skills and safety training of electric cooperative lineworkers.
Kankakee Valley REMC first-year apprentice Chris Chaplin and second-year apprentice Tim Morgart will participate in the insulator changeout, security light repair, and hurt man rescue individual competitions. A total of 28 teams and 102 individuals from 24 Indiana electric cooperatives will compete in this year’s event.
The rodeo includes competitive events for apprentices, journeyman lineworkers, and teams of three. Lineworkers will be tested on skills such as pole climbing, hurt man rescue, and safely changing electric line hardware, recognizing and rewarding excellence in safety, skill, and knowledge.
“This event allows our linemen to refine and demonstrate the skills needed to safely perform as a lineman,” said Jeff Newburn, line superintendent for Kankakee Valley REMC. “KV REMC linemen have a lot of pride in the work they do, and it’s great they are able to demonstrate these skills in a competitive environment.”
The rodeo begins Thursday, August 24, with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. and individual and team events from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The event continues Friday with a Lineman Memorial at 8 a.m. and team events running from 8:30 a.m. to noon. For details on the event, visit https://www.indianaec.org/safety/indiana-electric-cooperative-lineman-rodeo/.
Kankakee Valley REMC, located in Wanatah, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative serving over 18,000 members in portions of Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke, Pulaski, Marshall, and St. Joseph counties and maintains over 2100 miles of line. For more information about the cooperative, visit kvremc.com.
