Palmer, AK – The heroism of Matanuska Electric Association linemen recently gained the organization the prestigious 2015 Safety Heroism Award by the Northwest Public Power Association. The Safety Heroism Award recognizes member cooperatives who display acts of unselfish, voluntary assistance in life threatening situations where significant injury would have occurred but for the help offered.
On May 4, 2014 a small plane was caught in cross winds forcing it to fly into birch trees adjacent a runway near Meadow Lakes. The pilot was unhurt but trapped, and traditional rescue equipment wasn’t sufficient to safely reach the plane teetering in the treetops.
After authorities called MEA, a boom truck was dispatched to assist emergency response crews. Thanks to the help and bravery of Matanuska Electric Association’s linemen, after an anxious three hours and a 50-foot extension maneuver into the trees, the pilot was successfully rescued uninjured.
MEA crewmembers involved in the rescue include Lineman Tony Hardwick, Lineman Glenn Durkee, Lineman David Roby, Safety Manager Steve Willis and Director of Operations Eddie Taunton.
NWPPA is a non-profit trade association representing nearly 150 utility districts and electric cooperatives throughout the Western United States and Canada.
Matanuska Electric Association, Inc., Alaska’s oldest and second-largest electric cooperative, is owned and operated by its 49,000 members. MEA’s service area covers more than 4,200 miles of power lines in South-central Alaska, and the co-op leads projects statewide to provide customers with affordable, reliable energy. www.mea.coop
