The PNW Lineman Rodeo raises $85,000 for the Oregon Burn Center
The 2024 Pacific Northwest (PNW) Lineman's Rodeo planning team presented an $85,000 check to representatives from the Oregon Burn Center.
EWEB's electric operations staff and line techs are proud partners of this important fundraising event.
"The rodeo is a great way for utilities to come together and raise money for a worthy cause," said EWEB Rodeo Representative and member of the Rodeo Planning team Craig Woods. "The money raised helps people rehabilitate and get back to a normal life."
The funds presented to Legacy Oregon Burn Center will support burn patients and survivors in rehabilitative activities such as:
- Sending children to Burn Camps in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. At the week-long camps, children living with burns have an opportunity to be outdoors, climb, hike, ski, etc., and thrive with other young survivors. Additionally, burn center nurses join these children at camp to assist them as counselors.
- An adult wilderness retreat called LEAP (Life Expanding Adventure Program) provides an immersive outdoor program in which survivors paddle their own individual inflatable kayaks down 50-mile stretches of river in Class II, III, and IV rapids. This experience also connects survivors to nature's therapeutic qualities while encouraging them to harness their strength and recognize their innate value and abilities to build confidence and thrive.
- A burn peer support program in which burn survivors trained in S.O.A.R. (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) meet with new patients and their loved ones to talk about what it's like to be burned and what the journey to recovery entails. Also included in the peer support program is a monthly support group and a creative writing workshop.
What is a Lineman Rodeo?
At this rodeo, power poles take the place of bulls, and electric workers stand in for cowboys. During this family-oriented event, electric linemen climb poles using razor-sharp, steel-point shoes called Gaffs (think pole-climbing cowboy spurs), to compete in mock equipment repair events. Just like how rodeos originated from cowboys coming together to practice their skills, this rodeo shines a light on a profession many know little about but one we all rely on to keep the lights on.
Teams from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, and Utah compete in five events: cutout installation, high line jumper replacement, hurt-man rescue, pole climb, and pole transfer. Events such as high-line jumper replacement and cutout installation tasks linemen perform routinely in the field. Judges scored competitors based on their execution of the task. In contrast, the pole climb event is a rowdy contest in which two linemen race up opposite poles, toss an egg to each other mid-air, and then climb down. The fastest team to complete the task without breaking an egg will win. In the hurt-man rescue, a dummy is stationed at the top of a power pole waiting to be rescued. This is a common practice scenario as linemen are required to renew a rescue certification each year.
These rodeos happen across the country with regional and national competitions. EWEB has been a staple utility at the PNW event for many years.
EWEB Line Tech & Rodeo competitor Evan McGill said, "The PNW Lineman Rodeo is an incredible family-friendly event that raises money for a great cause. I look forward to growing our participation and generating more excitement for EWEB's team."
Save the Date
The 2025 PNW Lineman Rodeo will be in Gresham on Saturday, July 26.
All are encouraged to attend the family-friendly, free-admission rodeo in Gresham (3490 W Powell Loop, Gresham, OR 97030) and cheer on our local heroes. The event boasts many vendors, a kids' play area including rock climbing and bucket truck rides, food and drink, and a chance for young men and women to speak with the Local 659, 125, and 77 Union representatives about a possible career path as an electric line worker.
