NDAREC recognizes four lineworkers for heroic efforts

Four Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative (BDEC) lineworkers are being honored for their heroic, life-saving actions during three separate emergencies. Jason Bruner, Terry Knutson, Kyle Helmers and Richard (Joe) Thomas received the Life Saver Award from the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) during a Jan. 11 awards ceremony at the association’s Apprenticeship, Training and Safety Conference.

“In an emergency, every second matters. It’s an honor to recognize these electric cooperative lineworkers, whose heroic actions demonstrate outstanding character and commitment to community,” says NDAREC Executive Vice President and General Manager Josh Kramer. “Every year, electric cooperative employees receive training in CPR, first aid and mayday radio procedures, preparing them to respond in an emergency. This award is a testament to the value of that training, which not only benefits cooperatives, but also co-op members and the communities in which they live.”

The award recognizes the line crew’s response to three emergency situations in 2023:

• On Jan. 26, 2023, a winter storm passed through BDEC’s service area, blanketing roadways with snow and ice. When notified of a nearby emergency, Bruner and Knutson rushed to the scene, where they helped the local sheriff perform CPR until first responders arrived. The lineworkers also helped retrieve emergency vehicles, which had slid off the roadway into snow-filled ditches.
• On June 16, 2023, Bruner stopped to notify a member of a planned power outage. As he approached the home, he heard a woman calling for help. Bruner quickly radioed the co-op and asked them to call 911. Bruner, Knutson, Helmers and Thomas were able enter the home and assist the woman until the ambulance arrived. A few weeks later, the woman called the co-op to share her appreciation, saying she was convinced she would have been “toes up” without their help.
• On June 17, 2023, Knutson again demonstrated outstanding character and commitment to his community when he climbed a water tower to help a worker who was overcome by fatigue.

“It is indeed a pleasure to work with these gentlemen,” says BDEC General Manager Jerry King. “Their dedication to their families, their job, their fellow employees and the membership is admirable. I’m proud of these guys, and I know when we run into tough situations, they are working on the problem. Congratulations, Terry, Jason, Joe and Kyle!”

Since it was first awarded in 2011, the Life Saver Award has been presented to 11 employees representing three North Dakota electric cooperatives — BDEC, Verendrye Electric Cooperative and North Central Electric Cooperative. The award is sponsored by the N.D. Managers Association.

NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 17 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to more than 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, line worker safety training and professional development services, cooperative business development, and communication services including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.