Safety is also important at home—please remember to take a moment to review your own emergency plans, have a strategy in place, and stay prepared to protect your loved ones
A few weeks ago, Nobles Cooperative Electric held its fourth of nine scheduled safety training events for 2025—part of our ongoing, year-round commitment to employee safety. This session focused on pole top/bucket rescue, mayday procedures, and emergency action plans. The training was led by Curt Freudenburg from the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA), who returned to share his expertise and walk us through real-world emergency scenarios.
The day focused on two key areas: emergency response and the “mayday” call procedure. Curt worked with both our office and line crew employees, reviewing emergency action plans for everything from fires to tornadoes—as well as emergencies unique to the electric utility industry. His message was clear: preparation is key, even for the things we hope never happen.
During the mayday portion, Curt emphasized the importance of responding timely and clearly if someone is injured on the job. From immediate response to post-incident follow-up, he stressed that every second counts—and that reaching someone for help should never be delayed.
A major focus of the day was lineworker safety training, reinforcing proper procedures and response plans in hazardous field conditions. Our linemen refreshed their knowledge on how to communicate effectively during emergencies, respond to on-site injuries, and support fellow crew members in high-risk situations.
To cap off the day, our lineworkers took part in a pole-top rescue simulation—putting their training into action by practicing the steps to safely bring down an injured coworker. While pole climbing is less common in today’s day-to-day work, this hands-on exercise ensures our crew is always ready to respond when needed.
We’re grateful to Curt for leading another engaging and impactful safety day. His training helps reinforce our culture of safety and teamwork—both in the field and in the office—as we work together to power a safer, more reliable future for our members.
