FirstEnergy Corp. plans to honor its lineworkers as part of the national observance of Lineworker Appreciation Day, which takes place on April 18. This recognition of frontline employees coincides with efforts by other electric companies to spotlight the vital work done by those who maintain power supplies.
FirstEnergy Utilities President Wade Smith remarked on the risks undertaken by lineworkers, acknowledging their consistent commitment despite everyday hazards. "Lineworkers face hazards every day when they go up in their buckets, climb poles or work on underground power lines, but they don't hesitate to show up in some of the toughest conditions imaginable to safely get the lights back on for homes and businesses throughout our country. On behalf of all employees at FirstEnergy, we say a loud and proud 'thank you' to our men and women for their commitment and resiliency."
FirstEnergy has made available a video tribute to its lineworkers on its YouTube channel.
The tradition of observing Lineman Appreciation Day began in 2013 by a congressional resolution to commend the dedication of electric crews, especially after their work during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Last year, FirstEnergy's lineworkers, numbering around 2,500, responded to various severe outages in their operational areas. They also offered assistance to other electric companies across the U.S., including support during Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
On August 6, 2024, a series of severe weather events hit northeast Ohio, affecting over 627,700 customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey. FirstEnergy lineworkers achieved 94% restoration of power by replacing over 500 poles and 231 transformers across 75 miles of wire by August 11.
Subsequently, FirstEnergy crews contributed over 150,000 hours to restoration missions in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia after Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit. This dedication led to FirstEnergy receiving the Emergency Recovery Award and Emergency Assistance Award from the Edison Electric Institute earlier this year.
FirstEnergy serves more than 6 million customers in numerous states and manages a vast network of transmission lines. The company emphasizes values like safety and reliability and encourages following their activities online through their website and social media.
For media inquiries, contacts are available, including Hannah Catlett, Todd Meyers, Will Boye, and Chris Hoenig, representing various branches of FirstEnergy. Media resources such as B-roll and soundbites can also be accessed through Dropbox.