FMPA Weekly | March 6, 2023 | Member Edition

March 6, 2023

TOP NEWS                                                       

Florida Lineman Competition
Lineworkers from Florida’s public power utilities and electric cooperative competed last weekend in the annual Florida Lineman Competition in Orlando. Congratulations to Blake Burns, Mike Gramling and Mike Patterson of the City of Tallahassee, who won the Overall Journeyman Team Winners Cup. Ryan Kornegay from JEA won the Overall Apprentice Award. FMPA was a sponsor of the event and provided the top prize to help pay for the winners to attend a national competition. A total of 70 journeymen, 77 apprentices and 49 judges from 12 utilities participated in this year’s competition.

PSC Commissioner Power Plant Tours
Florida Public Service Commissioner Mike LaRosa is touring Cane Island Power Park on Thursday. The commissioner will learn more about FMPA and how the Agency and its members are working to keep electricity affordable and reliable. Commissioner Gary Clark is scheduled to tour Cane Island on March 29.

Foreman Academy Certification Series
Friday is the deadline to register for the first track of the Foreman Academy Certification series. The class will be held on March 20-23 at FMPA’s Orlando office and will provide crew leaders and general foremen with the knowledge and tools to lead crews efficiently, responsibly and safely. Contact: Sharon Samuels

Utility Salary Survey
Members are reminded to complete FMPA’s annual utility salary survey by March 14. The results will provide members with Florida-specific salary and benefits information for positions in public power. The survey was emailed to members last month. Contact: Sharon Adams

Physical Security Workshop
FMPA hosts a Hometown Security Workshop on March 30 at its Orlando office. Representatives from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and more will present on physical security best practices and awareness using recent substation attacks as a backdrop for discussion. The workshop will provide participants opportunities to share experiences and discuss considerations for their utilities. Space is limited. The deadline to register is March 21. Contact: LaKenya VanNorman

Meter Tech Roundtable
FMPA hosts a Meter Tech Roundtable at the Orlando office on June 22 at 10 a.m. The roundtable provides an opportunity for meter technicians and meter maintenance staff to discuss topics such as operating practices, equipment, tools, safety, training and more. The deadline to register is June 14. Contact: Sharon Samuels

Certified Power Supervisor
Registration is open for the Certified Power Supervisor course scheduled for Nov. 7-9 at FMPA’s Orlando office. The course is designed for public power distribution system supervisory personnel and focuses on how to reduce employee grievances, customer complaints, absenteeism, job-related accidents, and turnover. The curriculum is made up of nine core classes, and participants have four years to complete all the necessary classes. Contact: Sharon Samuels

SPECIAL DATES

Anniversaries
Denise Fuentes | March 6 | 17 Years
Sue Utley | March 8 | 19 Years
Jeff Hanson | March 9 | 3 Years

COMING UP

Governing Board Meetings
March 16 | 9 a.m. | FMPA Orlando Office

FMEA Energy Auditors Roundtable
March 29 | 10 a.m. | JEA

TOP INDUSTRY NEWS

FPL and Duke Energy File to Reduce Planned Rate Increases for April and May

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FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA’s Public Relations Department for staff and members. Questions about this newsletter may be directed to Rachel Ilardi. Check out FMPA’s Glossary, for frequently mentioned terms.