First Responders of the Grid: Why Linemen Deserve Our Recognition and Respect

Brandon White, a lineman at a rural electric cooperative. Brandon shares his background, training, and daily responsibilities maintaining power lines across challenging terrain. The conversation explores the technical, safety, and preventative aspects of lineman work, including the use of drones for inspections and the importance of proactive maintenance. They discuss the critical role linemen play as first responders, the vulnerabilities of the power grid, and the need for greater public recognition of infrastructure workers’ essential contributions to community safety and stability.