Pictured, from left, are Sam Kuhl from CCEC, Jordan Vonder Haar from the City of Breese, and Craig Benhoff from CCEC. The Clinton/Breese team placed second in the cutout change competition at the Lineworker’s Safety Rodeo in Springfield.    Line personnel from Clinton County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) and the City of Breese participated in the annual Lineworker’s Safety Rodeo coordinated by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) on Thursday, Sept. 19. Fifteen teams from 12 electric co-ops and one municipal electric utility participated in the friendly competition, along with seven others competing individually. The rodeo highlights the skills lineworkers use to work safely and efficiently.
    Craig Benhoff and Sam Kuhl from CCEC and Jordan VonderHaar from the City of Breese represented their co-op and city as a team and Cole Timmerman represented the City of Breese as an individual at the rodeo, held at the LLCC Line School Yard in Springfield.
    They competed against teams from across Illinois in events using skills that focus on agility, speed and accuracy. While these skills are part of the judging criteria, above all, participants are judged on safe work practices.
    Line personnel competed in a series of team and individual events including the 40-foot climb, hurt man rescue and crossarm change. The cutout change was a team event, and the day concluded with a head-to-head climbing challenge.
    Scores for each event are based on completion time, proper execution of the task and safety. Deductions were made to a team or individual’s overall performance score due to mistakes such as slipping when climbing poles, dropping tools or executing inappropriate procedures or methods.
    At the end of the day, the Clinton/Breese team won second place in the cutout change competition. Congratulations to the lineworkers on their team and individual efforts.
    Clinton County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) is a member of Touchstone Energy — a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to members large and small.
    More than 700 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 46 states are delivering energy and energy solutions to more than 30 million members every day. CCEC is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The co-op serves more than 6,200 meters over 1,066 miles of line in parts of Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Marion, St. Clair and Washington counties. For more information visit www.cceci.com. CCEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.