2008 KMU Lineman Rodeo

 Wellington electric department employees made the short trip to Mcpherson Kansas on Thursday October the 16^th for the two day KMU, Kansas Municipal Utilities, workshop and 2008 Lineman rodeo. Workshop topics included regulators, metering, and KMU mutual aid discussion. A total of 17 municipalities from across Kansas attended the two day event. On Thursday afternoon the rodeo kicked off with the flag rising to the top of a 35 foot pole. Joe Jackson of Wellington took first place in the pole top rescue and also took first in the obstacle course event. Jason Rains from Wellington took second in the reclosure change out, second in the digger truck event and took third in the hurtman rescue. Two person teams also competed for the overall trophy with the team of Joe Jackson and Jason Rains taking first which in return sent the coveted traveling trophy back to Wellington. Joe Jackson also took the best overall award for the top score of all events combined. Also attending from Wellington were lineman Brian Lewellen, crew leader John Bales, and electric distribution supervisor Cliff Zens lecturing on mutual aid.

 The KMU lineman rodeo is held every year and gives lineman a chance to sharpen their skills and also work and interact with each other. Most of the municipalities in attendance help each other out during natural disaster situations through a mutual aid program. This gives cities the ability to obtain assistance when resources are depleted do to natural disasters such as tornadoes, ice storms, wind damage, etc.

Photos of the event