By Shannon Lukens. Courtesy photos.
Yampa Valley Electric has been participating in annual pole top and bucket rescue training. This is where a crew member would become unconscious while working at the top of a pole. The bucket rescue would safely remove the incapacitated worker from an aerial lift, or “bucket truck.”
Lineworkers used a dummy for the drill. The annual training is mandatory to ensure workers can respond safely and effectively to an emergency, such as electrical shock, heat stroke, or other injuries.
Press Release from Yampa Valley Electric Association; November 2025.
YVEA Elevates Safety Standards with Annual Pole Top and Bucket Rescue Training
On Tuesday, November 4th, Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) lineworkers, engineers, and Luminate staff took advantage of calmer weather and slower construction demands to take part in our annual pole top and bucket rescue training. A pole top rescue drill simulates a situation where a crew member would become unconscious while working at the top of the pole. A bucket rescue is the process of safely removing an incapacitated worker from a raised aerial lift or “bucket truck.”
“At any given point in time on the job, this very scenario could happen in the field. It is essential our crews know how to perform these rescues quickly and safely,” said John Cromer, YVEA Operations Manager. Lineworkers and Engineers from Craig and Steamboat had their work cut out for them this year, with the purchase of a new rescue dummy who went from weighing 180 lbs. to 220 lbs.
During the demonstration, lineworkers practiced the critical steps of the rescue, including calling emergency services, climbing the pole, securing a dummy, and lowering it to the ground before administering first aid and CPR. These drills are mandatory annual training to ensure workers can respond safely and effectively to emergencies, such as electrical shock, heat stroke, or other injuries. YVEA lineworkers had to rescue the dummy from the top of the pole in under four minutes to pass the exercise. Chase Westberg, Working Foreman with YVEA said, “The most difficult part of these exercises is remembering each step, and making sure it is a seamless and safe rescue. In a real-life scenario, keeping calm and executing each step is critical, so you don’t become the second victim.”
YVEA crews performed both pole-top and bucket rescues, while members of the YVEA Engineering and Luminate teams tried their hand at bucket rescue techniques. When asked why it was important for the Engineering Department to participate in the bucket rescues, YVEA Engineering Manager Jim Cross said, “There is so much value in our department seeing and experiencing what the line crews go through every day. This was an excellent opportunity for engineers to not only watch the pole top exercise, but also to take part in the bucket rescue.”
Other departments involved in the safety training were our dispatch department. “Our dispatchers need to be ready to answer the urgent call calmly and effectively communicate with EMS about the situation. I am incredibly impressed with how well our teams handled these drills,” Cromer said.
YVEA welcomed Whitney Scott as the new Safety Coordinator in August. This rescue drill provided an ideal opportunity for her to observe how YVEA has conducted these exercises in the past and identify opportunities to enhance future safety training. Scott brings extensive experience to the role, most recently serving as Director of
Safety, Training, and Loss Control at Four County Electric Membership Corporation. On the importance of integrating safety into YVEA’s daily operations, Scott said, “You perform as you practice. If safety isn’t incorporated into your business culture, your product has no value.”
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About Yampa Valley Electric Association
Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) is a member-owned electric cooperative serving over 28,000 meters and 23,000 members over 2,840 miles of line covering a 7,000 square-mile service territory in northwest Colorado and southern Wyoming. We provide safe, affordable, reliable power and efficient energy services to members. We help our communities thrive by striving to provide innovative, affordable and environmentally sound solutions, while fostering leadership and growth throughout our region. More information is available at
www.yvea.com.