Ever wonder what it takes to be a lineman? It takes this

Last Saturday, April 12, more than 30 Duke Energy lineworkers from Indiana competed to test the skills they use on the job every day to help provide power to customers.

The Lineman’s Rodeo took place at Duke Energy’s Indiana Regional Headquarters, 1000 E. Main St., Plainfield.

Many of these lineworkers are the same people who also led Duke Energy’s storm response earlier this month which impacted nearly 100,000 customers in the company’s Indiana service territory.

“Our lineworkers are committed 24/7 to keeping our lives powered up when we flip the switch,” Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager Mark LaBarr said. “The Lineworkers Rodeo is a great opportunity for our valued employees to show off their skills through friendly competition and to socialize with competitors from other locations.”

Photo provided by Duke Energy Indiana

At the Rodeo, competitors were tested on job-related skills such as equipment repair and pole climbs, while being judged on speed, agility, technique, and safety procedures. Participants competed to be the fastest, safest, and most efficient at various tasks, and the winners qualified to compete in the International Lineman’s Rodeo, which takes place in Kansas in October.

Lineworkers are highly skilled professionals who undergo rigorous training to work with electricity safely and efficiently, and their roles are critical to the safe and efficient delivery of power. All lineworkers are trained to respond to major outages in events such as high winds, ice, and summer and winter storms.

Photo provided by Duke Energy Indiana