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September 21, 2021
The hub of the Upper Midwest utility training world was the MMUA Training Center in Marshall Sept. 14-17, as we held the Minnesota Lineworkers Rodeo and our annual Overhead School.
The training extravaganza started with the Rodeo, the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 14. Keen but friendly competition culminated in the crowning of this year’s overall champions: Tyler Hanson of Shakopee Public Utilities (SPU) in the Journeyman competition; co-worker Tyler O’Brien of SPU among the quick-climbing Apprentices.
The display of municipal lineworker skill and spirit was followed by the Overhead School, which also displayed our strength. Sixty-two participants from utilities large and small worked together through the three-day school, which focused on ‘mutual aid’ response and repair.
Like all MMUA schools, this event featured the most realistic of training environments. A select band of utility workers on Tuesday evening undertook the unusual task for wreaking destruction on an electric distribution system, setting the stage for the next day’s mutual aid response.
Damage assessments were completed while crews mustered and communications links established among the various participants.
A municipal utility person could not help but fill with pride at the sight of the gathered utility personnel and equipment, going about their work in the most diligent and professional manner. That sight and this school will be long-remembered by those who participated.
Well done, one and all!
For more information, see the upcoming MMUA Resource newsletter.
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