The Line Life Podcast

Looking Back on Hurricane Maria: Bladimir Rodriguez Shares His Experiences in Puerto Rico

When they close their eyes, every lineman can go back to relive their most memorable storm. For Bladimir Rodriguez, a general foreman for E-J Electric in Staten Island, New York, Hurricane Maria was an unforgettable experience. Back in November of 2017, he and his team traveled to Puerto Rico to restore power. When they arrived, many of the homes and power poles were simply gone, and the damage was beyond repair. In many locations, the linemen had to start from scratch and rebuild. For our February 2022 Line Life podcast, Field Editor Amy Fischbach caught up with Rodriguez, who shared his experiences restoring power in not only Puerto Rico, but also in Louisiana following Hurricane Ida.

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Safety in the Line Trade: Lineman Lee Shelby Shares His Story of Triumph over Tragedy

Back in 1991, when he was 28 years old, Tennessee Lineman Lee Shelby experienced an electrical contact accident. After spending 28 days in the burn unit, seven months in rehab and 10 months and 23 days away from work, he learned how to navigate his "new normal" following the amputation of his hands and the use of prosthetic limbs. Today, Shelby, the author of "No Hands, No Excuses" and "Consequences: Workplace Safety is Not Optional," travels around the country to share his story. For the January 2022 episode, Field Editor Amy Fischbach had a conversation with Lee at this home in Tennessee about his rehabilitation journey and words of wisdom for linemen about safety in the line trade. For more information, visit www.leeshelby.com.

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The Return to The Rodeo & Our Interview with Competitor Ted Gyhra

After a “Lost Year” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, linemen competed at the 37th International Lineman’s Rodeo from October 14-16, 2021. Stick around after the full story for an interview with Ted Gyhra, a journeyman lineman with Omaha Public Power District who won the four pole climb apprentice competitions. Ted was a regular on the awards stage in both 2019 and 2021, and after topping out in November 2021 he will return to compete in the journeyman competition next year.

Produced by T&D World and Utility Products.

Voices From The International Lineman’s Rodeo

Hear from a collection of lineman, organizers, sponsors, line wives and more as you take a tour around the expo hall and the rodeo grounds during The International Lineman's Rodeo that took place October 13-16, 2021 in Kansas City.
Contributors include (in order of appearance):

• Rick Childers, The International Lineman's Rodeo Board of Directors (retired)
• Robert Padgett, Lineman
• Daniel Aeschleman, Lineman, LEDWP
• Admad Ababneh, VP Major Projects & Programs for Electric Operations, PG&E
• Alex Benoit, Apprentice Lineman, National Grid
• Tim Jones, Evergy
• Russell Smith, Journeyman Lineman, Hotline Construction
• Andy Price, Founder, the International Lineman Museum & Hall of Fame
• Christopher Hedges, Electrical Contractor
• Amy Fischbach, Field Editor, T&D World
• Bruce Akin, Vice President, Transmission and Distribution, Evergy
• Sgt Lucas Remillard
• Katie Ward
• Stasha Ferguson
• Lynne Swayne
• Mike Hayward, The International Lineman's Rodeo Board of Directors
• Dale Warman, The International Lineman's Rodeo Board of Directors

This episode is brought to you by Huskie Tools.

Diversity in the Line Trade

New training program gives students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue a career in line work.

Produced by T&D World and Utility Products.

Women in Line Work

First, you'll hear about six women linemen with a love for the line trade and the drive and determination to get the job done. Second, our field editor Amy Fischbach interviews Emma Landherr, a lineman that we connected with as she arrived in New Orleans at the start of restoration efforts after Hurricane Ida.

This episode is brought to you by Milwaukee Tool.

Produced by T&D World and Utility Products.

Barehand Work in the Tropics

BHI Energy’s crews perform energized insulator replacements in the Florida Keys.

Produced by T&D World and Utility Products.

Learn more & register now for the International Lineman's Rodeo at www.linemansrodeokc.com

Storm Stories: Historic Ice Storm Brings Waves of Destruction

Part 3 of the Storm Stories series moves to Virginia, where ice-covered lines led to power outages and downed lines.

Produced by T&D World and Utility Products.

Learn more & register now for the International Lineman's Rodeo at www.linemansrodeokc.com