BROKEN BOW – The 9th annual Lineworkers Rodeo will be held on the 21 and 22 of July at the Custer County Fairgrounds; the event is a chance, according to organizers, “for journeyman and apprentice lineworkers to train and network with other utility personnel from all across Nebraska.”
The rodeo is a round-up of utility workers from around the state; organized into teams, the workers are then placed into divisions based on their professional status: linemen are either Journeymen or Apprentices for the sake of the competition.
Both divisions have one congruous event: the “Hurtman Rescue,” wherein “an individual apprentice or journeyman rescues a ‘hurtman’ mannequin that is attached to the top of a pole.” Event staff provides ground support. The purpose of the event, according to rodeo organizers, is to reinforce the importance of safety and teamwork in the field.
The written test, only for apprentice linemen, will cover vehicle operations, tools and equipment, overhead distribution and transmission, and underground lines and equipment.
A question and answer segment on the grounds will take place after the noon registration at 3 p.m. on Thursday, the 21, at which point details and specifications of mystery events will be revealed for both divisions: three for journeyman linemen, and one for the apprentices.
Opening ceremonies occur at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, with the Journeyman events unfolding immediately afterward. Apprentice events will take place after the 9 a.m. apprentice test.
More information can be found here.
