Special to Iredell Free News
Levi Fagan, journeyman lineman at EnergyUnited, finished with the fastest time of all competitors last week at the 2021 Pole Top Rescue Competition at Nash Community College in Rocky Mount. Fagan was also the winner of the statewide competition in 2019.
“It was truly an honor to represent EnergyUnited at the statewide competition,” Fagan said. “I have received so much support from my fellow linemen and from everyone at the co-op. It has really been an incredible experience.”
This biennial event pits line workers against the clock and each other as they demonstrate essential lifesaving skills and the job knowledge required to maintain the lines that power the lives of electric cooperative member-consumers. To advance to this state championship competition, each competitor had to win a similar event at their local cooperative.
“Safety is always top of mind for everyone at EnergyUnited,” said Wayne Wilkins, chief executive officer of EnergyUnited. “We are very proud of Levi’s accomplishments, but we’re also thankful for his continued leadership and support for our co-op’s culture, which is focused heavily on safety and accountability.”
During the competition, each line worker executed a rescue scenario of retrieving an unconscious coworker from atop a utility pole. The competitor, dressed in full climbing gear, must radio for help, scale 20 feet up the utility pole, lower a 105-pound mannequin and begin lifesaving procedures. All North Carolina electric cooperative line workers must complete this same scenario in less than five minutes to maintain their certification to work on co-op lines.
About EnergyUnited
EnergyUnited Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is the largest electric cooperative in North Carolina serving more than 131,000 metering points. Headquartered in Statesville, EnergyUnited provides electric service in portions of nineteen counties in west central North Carolina which include Alexander, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Wilkes and Yadkin. Visit EnergyUnited online at www.energyunited.com to learn more.