OG&E Linemen Compete In Skills Contest

Each year OG&E hosts what they call the linemen rodeo to make up for the long hours and trips away from home.

Thursday, August 1st 2024, 5:50 pm

By: News 9, Mike Glover

It’s a job most of us don’t appreciate until we need them and when we need them, it sure feels good to see the big orange trucks.

“People are frustrated with the situation, but they know that we are there to help,” said OG&E lineman Austin Berg.

Being ready to help means being ready to go at a moment’s notice.

“Those big orange trucks mean something not just to us but to other states. They know we are all business, and they know that stuff is fixing to get done,” said Berg.

“That orange is a symbol of something good in my opinion,” said OG&E lineman Todd Munson.

Something good. I kind of like the sound of that.

“We take great pride in going and helping other people and doing things the right way,” said Munson.

It typically takes about five years to become a lineman with OG&E. The annual linemen expo or Linemen rodeo is an event that showcases the linemen's skills and gives co-workers and families a chance to show their appreciation for all their hard work.

“At the linemen’s rodeo there are five events that the line crews will compete in,” said Munson.

Events like the hurt man rescue, where linemen have to simulate rescuing a fellow worker.

“There’s speed climb, where you are going to climb with an egg in a bag and then put the egg in a bag and come down,” said Munson.

The workers have already started the trash talk.

“It starts a couple of weeks in advance, and like I said once you’re crowned champion, you kind of rub it in every chance you get,” said Berg.

Berg proudly displays his winning trophy on his desk, so he doesn’t have to brag.

“I’ve stepped down in my role as competitor, to give these other guys a chance, and I just judge now,” said Berg.

For the families, there will be lots of food and fun. They anticipate fourteen teams of three competing this year, with the top three going to the international competition in Kansas City.

“There are people from all over the nation there, and there are some years that there have been up to seven, eight, nine countries there,” said Munson.