Current Light Flashes

As employees of West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), we have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it takes to keep the lights on. In April, we recognize the brave men who make that possible every single
day: lineworkers. 95258001

When storms impact our communities and outages occur, many people experience that inconvenience, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are always ready when it matters most - leaving family dinners, working through the night, and heading into challenging conditions to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. That dedication comes from rigorous training, deep experience, and a shared commitment to serving others.

What makes linemen remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system. They’re restoring power to their community. They live here, raise their families here, and understand that electricity is an essential part of daily life for local businesses, schools, farms and emergency services.

Electric co-ops like WFEC were built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our linemen embody that spirit. They’re the first to respond and the last to leave, often working long hours. At times, serving our members means going beyond our service territory through a process known as mutual aid. During major outage events, WFEC crews stand ready to assist neighboring co-ops, sometimes close to home and sometimes across state lines.

When Winter Storm Fern hit northern Mississippi this January, WFEC sent several linemen to assist them with power restoration. Crews stayed for ten days and helped thousands of people by restoring their power and heating sources in dangerously cold temperatures and unforgiving elements.

We understand any time the lights go out it can be frustrating, bringing everyday life to a halt. We are incredibly grateful to our members for your patience and encouragement during these times. Line work is demanding, physical, and at times, dangerous.

To our linemen: thank you for your hard work, your readiness and your unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. We are proud to stand behind you and grateful for all that you do.