Cobb EMC linemen bring home honors

Crews earn 6 awards at Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo

Cobb EMC linemen won big at last weekend’s Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo, a day-long competition designed to test linemen’s skills under poor conditions and to improve safety training and work practices. Rainy weather made for realistic working conditions for safety-conscious electric utility crews from across the state. 

Utilities compete in one of three divisions: electric membership cooperatives (EMCs), municipal power companies and Georgia Power.

Cobb EMC’s crews walked away from Chehaw Park in Albany, Ga. with the following honors:

• 1^st Place in Journeyman Hurtman Rescue: Lance Ballenger (1^st Class Lineman – Step 1); Wesley Thames (1^st Class Lineman – Step 1); Bobby White (Lineman – Step 4); Coach, Alex Newsome (Line Superintendent)
• 1^st Place in Apprentice Mystery Event: Joe Tatum (Lineman – Step 2)
• 2^nd Place in Journeyman Division Awards: Lance Ballenger (1^st Class Lineman – Step 1); Wesley Thames (1^st Class Lineman – Step 1); Bobby White (Lineman – Step 4); Coach, Alex Newsome (Line Superintendent)
• 2^nd Place in Journeyman Overall Awards: Lance Ballenger (1^st Class Lineman – Step 1); Wesley Thames (1^st Class Lineman – Step 1); Bobby White (Lineman – Step 4); Coach, Alex Newsome (Line Superintendent)
• 2^nd Place in Apprentice Service Hook Up: Joe Tatum (Lineman – Step 2)
• 3^rd Place in Journeyman 8’ Crossarm Change: Scotty Lyons (1^st Class Lineman – Step 2); Jeremy Norment (1^st Class Lineman – Step 1); Josh Poston (1^st Class Lineman – Step 2); Coach, Ken Brumelow (Line Foreman)

The Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo is one of the many safety practices encouraged by Cobb EMC’s Safety department. Others include spot inspections and routine safety trainings for all employees.