FMEA Holds 2024 Florida Lineman Competition Rodeo this Saturday in Jacksonville

The annual Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Florida Lineman Competition Rodeo will take place this Saturday, Feb. 24, in Jacksonville. Electric lineworkers from all over the state will come together to demonstrate their skill and knowledge in the craft of line work. Hosted by JEA, the competition will take place in Metropolitan Park along the St. Johns River. 

Competitors will compete in one of two categories – journeyman teams or apprentices. Journeyman teams, which include at least one lineworker who has been in the industry for five years or more, are made up of three lineworkers. Apprentices, or lineworkers in training, compete individually.

This year, competitors will take on various challenges such as changing out fuses, replacing wires, disconnecting power lines and completing a simulation of rescuing injured lineworkers. Competitors earn points for completing the tasks as quickly as possible and lose points if safety standards and proper work practices are not followed.

This year’s competition includes a mandatory mutual aid event in which two apprentices and one journeyman from three different utilities will compete together in an event that simulates work done in a mutual aid power restoration situation.

More than 215 electric utility workers from 15 Florida utilities are participating in the 2024 Florida Lineman Competition Rodeo. This includes the 154 lineworkers registered to compete, including 75 apprentices and 79 journeyman lineworkers competing on 23 teams, and 64 judges from across the state that will score competitors.

The winners will be announced at an awards banquet on Saturday evening.

“Each year, the Florida Lineman Competition Rodeo provides lineworkers with an opportunity to hone their craft and forge friendships with fellow lineworkers across the state. It’s also a chance for the general public to come out and get a close-up view of what life on the line is like,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director.

The event is free and open to the public. FMEA encourages members of the public to come out, bring their families, and enjoy the competition on Saturday, starting with the opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Activities for children, including a bounce house and children’s area, and food trucks will be on-site. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Coolers are permitted, and parking is available for a fee.

View event information and the event agenda here. For more information on FMEA and the Florida Lineman Competition Rodeo, please visit www.flpublicpower.com.