June 9, 2010

BMU lineworker completes lineman certification program

Lineworker Brandon Suffel recently became the first Bryan Municipal Utilities lineman to receive certification through Northwest Lineman College, the largest training facility for the power industry in the nation.

The Lineman Certification represents completion of 600 hours of academic training in the areas of construction, maintenance, and operation of power generation, transmission and distribution systems, and 8,000 hours on-the-job training.

Bryan Electric Superintendent Brian Carlin said, “Brandon’s dedication, eagerness to learn and keen awareness of safety set the bar higher for our current and future linemen. He will surely be a leader for us in the future.”

Brandon started working at BMU while he was still in high school. “I was only 17 when I was hired as summer help at the power plant. After working part time for two summers, I was hired full time in the electric department.”

Working with the electric crew on the ground started Brandon’s interest in becoming a lineman. “I made it through boot camp and climbing school. I love being a lineman, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It’s fun, challenging and exciting,” he said.

Brandon said his favorite part about line work is working to restore power after storm damage. Brandon volunteered for a mutual aid crew sent to Westerville and Prospect in 2008 to clean up severe wind damage caused by a remnant of Hurricane Ike passing through the state. He also traveled to Cuyahoga Falls in 2005 to help restore power when two inches of ice knocked down trees and power lines.

As Brandon continues being mentored by the journeymen lineworkers on Bryan’s crew, he is also now mentoring BMU’s newest lineworker trainee Shane Smith, who is in his second year of the Northwest Lineman College Program.