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Jerry McCann going through the daily events with the competitors and the judges.
Over 50 committee members, judges and volunteers worked before and during the event to make the 2012 Lineman’s Rodeo a success.
This year’s event was held on Friday, June 8, at NB Power’s Central Region office in Marysville. Family, friends and co-workers gathered to watch as the Power Line Technicians, Apprentices and Training Crew alike gathered for the Rodeo, cheering on their friends and co-workers.
“This year’s rodeo was an impressive display of professionalism, with a high regard for safety and quality,” said Gaëtan Thomas, President and CEO. “It was evident the pride that these employees take in their work and I was very pleased to be able to witness this first-hand.
I would like to congratulate all of the participants and volunteers who made this event a success. Also, a special thanks to members of the IBEW for their continued support. Job well done.”
The event began with the judges meeting in the morning and was followed by all of the competitors marching onto the rodeo grounds to the piping skills of Gord Perry. Barbecued refreshments were provided for everyone throughout the day and the competitions got underway at noon.
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Left to right: Wesley Logan (father), Gaëtan Thomas, President and CEO, Shirley Logan (grand mother), Everard Logan, Apprentice Egg Climb Winner and Denise Logan (mother) .
This year’s competition events included:
1. A written test in which participants had to answer questions from material contained in the Lineman's and Cableman's Handbook.
2. A mystery event that involved climbing a pole and completing a series of tasks including:
- relocating a stringing block from one end of the crossarm to the other at the opposite end.
- relocating a steel pin with insulator to the opposite end on the other crossarm.
- relocating the epoxilator to the other end of the crossarm on the opposite side.
- using rubber gloves and a hot stick to open cut-out and remove the door, install the other cut-out and close the door.
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Left to right: Scott Ouellette, Scott Labillois and Scott Grasse – performing a transformer change event Back right: Julian Raiche - doing insulator change event.
4. A pole climb that consisted of climbing the pole with an egg in a bucket, removing the old bucket and dropping to the ground, putting the egg in their mouth, hanging the bucket on the J hook and climbing down without breaking the egg.
5. A CPR event where each participant had five minutes to complete the practical CPR portion of the test and then had to take a written test pertaining to the skills needed in the demonstration portion of the event.
6. A transformer change in which the ground man opens and removes the cut-out door, a PLT climbs the pole and uses cover-up to protect from contact with primary and lowers the transformer to the ground. The second PLT ascends the pole, installs the transformer, removes the cover-up and descends the pole to the ground.
7. An insulator change in which the team ascends the pole to a neutral position and installs cover-up. Participants then attach hot sticks and saddles to secure the phase and use the sticks to untie the conductor from the insulator. The conductor is then moved back to the new insulator and tied in using hot sticks.
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Left to right: PLT Technicians Scott Ouellette, Roger LeBlanc and Paul Bourdages. Overall Team Rodeo Winners.
Power Line Technicians competed in the Transformer Change event, the Insulator Change event, the Hurt Man Rescue event and the Pole Climb event. Apprentices competed separately in the Written Test event, the Mystery event, the Hurt Man Rescue event, the Pole Climb and the CPR event. The Training Crew, who only began training in April, competed against each other in the Pole Climb event.
Winners of the Rodeo are presented with trophies constructed by NB Power employee Danny Keith. The winning team and top two apprentices, who are judged on both accuracy and time, get to participate in the International Rodeo that is held each year in Kansas City, Missouri. At the International Rodeo, more than a hundred teams from around the world compete.
The winners of the 2012 Lineman’s Rodeo who will be travelling to Missouri this year were:
Power Line Technicians:
1st place- Paul Bourdages, Scott Ouellette and Roger Leblanc
Apprentice:
1st place- Mike Thomas
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IBEW Local 37 Business Manager Ross Galbraith, PLT Apprentice Mike Thomas and Vice President of Customer Service and Distribution and Transmission Sherry Thomson.
“This event is only possible because of the cooperation between NB Power and IBEW Local 37. There is tremendous pride when the Power Line Technicians are displaying their skills to other PLT's and family members,” said NB Power employee Jerry McCann, Chair of the organizing committee.
“We were really happy to partner with NB Power on this event,” said Ross Galbraith, Business Manager with IBEW Local 37. “This event has grown so much since we started it three years ago. There were more teams than ever this year and there were many family members, co-workers and friends in attendance, watching the participants display their skills and seeing what they do every day. I always look forward to attending the rodeo and seeing the pride and commitment of these employees.”
