A Lineman’s Call: The Story of Jeremy White

On December 12, 2013, the Southern Pine family experienced a tragic incident that brought us all to our knees. Jeremy White’s accident will live in our minds forever, but from this tragedy came a source of strength to change our culture. In 2017, Southern Pine produced a video to tell the events of that day, and to do our part in seeing that no family has to endure the same experience. The video was shown publicly for the first time this week at the 2018 NRECA Annual Meeting. After the showing, our CEO, Jason Siegfried, addressed a crowd of cooperative leaders from around the United States, and stressed the importance of making safety an industry priority.

We lost Jeremy on January 11, 2014, but we find comfort in knowing that his story has changed our future and hopefully the future of all cooperative families.

This is "A Lineman’s Call: The Story of Jeremy White"

[ItskToBeWhite]

I can still remember the day my mom came and picked My brother and I up from school.I was about 12yrs old. She wouldn't tell us what happened, all we knew was it had something to do with Dad. We walked into the hospital and I seen My Grandpa, along with 4 other guys from my dads Crew. Walked into his room and I couldn't even recognize my father. Flash Burn, 2nd and 3rd degree on his face, Arms, Hands and many other spots. Im so lucky that I still have my dad and feel for this young family. That was the day I really started to appreciate what my father did everyday for us kids. He is a Journeymen lineman with 30Yrs under his belt. He was gone probably 50% of my childhood. Storm Work would have him gone months at a time. I think he spent 4 months down south after Katrina Hit. Thank you to all of you that work Overhead.

[t.r.]

I'm 41 and a lineman been in the field 23 years. I've made it home everyday. Test and ground, test and ground. No shortcuts. Open visuals, don't assume anything is dead.

[The-Dom]

"sometimes i want to be angry with him for that" Such a raw honest moment. God bless the widow and children. RIP Jeremy.

[danieldevito]

This is EXACTLY why you're taught on DAY 1 of trade school, no matter what trade you're in, if you see a wire, doesn't matter if it's 24V or 24, 000V, you treat it as if it's live.

[daymonlindsey]

I'm retired oil field and what he said rings 100% true, " every safety rule is written in blood". My prayers are with you and your family Mrs. White.

[raeraewells]

Last month my son a lineman for 10 years was electrocuted in the head. He was up in the bucket working on a dangerous pole. He’s always so safe and it just took one slight accident and his head came into contact with 7200 volts. He’s alive. He had a hole blown out the top of his head, the flash went down his left torso and arm and out his fingers. He went unconscious for a bit then his ground man got him down and shook him and shook him. He opened his eyes! This happened Sept. 8th and he’s had two surgeries so far. His head wound was just worked on, his fingers had to be grafted. We were told by drs he really should not be alive. I almost lost my baby boy. But I didn’t and I’m so grateful. So sorry for this family.

[alant]

They always say that the Code of Safe Practices are written in blood and now you know why. God bless.

[tooshayme]

Whenever given the chance, when I see linemen working, I pull over safely and thank each man an woman risking their lives to give us power. They can also be considered first responders and I appreciate them. Rest In peace Jeremy and all those who have lost their lives. You are heroes to me.

[jakesully]

Thank you to Liz and Southern Pine for sharing Jeremy’s story.

As an electrician, I KNOW it’s the lines-people who are among our everyday heroes. I hold my respect for them right along side of our police, firefighters, military and medics.

May Jeremy Rest In Peace.

[MrMaxyield]

NEVER assume a line is dead. In fact the opposite, always assume it's hot and act accordingly. Stay safe out there brothers...

[Flyinglazys]

I have been a lineman 32 yrs. and it never fails to amaze me how this can still happen.  Sad but this was the end result of a safety culture that was already embedded within that group and allowed poor habits to set in.  Guaranteed this was not the first time he did this.  RIP Jeremy and Godspeed.

[Powerhousered]

I respect all the lineman that takes the risk of working on power lines. Rest in peace.

[michaelgustin]

I wish every company across America and the world had to show this video to each employee on their first day orientation. It would save so many lives!

[charlesoliver]

Be your brother's keeper.... Insulate and isolate... Line life

[tbomedeclinelinemanblogger]

Jeremy was my friend he's remembered in my friendship book I always called him Mr Jeremy thanks for keeping the lights on rest in paradise Mr Jeremy

[cajunhook]

On my birthday Nov 24, 2014 I was hit with 13.8 Kv I lost my left arm and lost the top of my left shoulder, and burned my right hand entrance wounds and burns damaged my right hand. My face neck ears and lungs where also burnt from the arc flash 46 surgeries and 3 months in ICU felt like an Eternity in hell. I’m 5 years past my electrocution. My heart is broken for those who have to go through this. I found my therapy is helping other linemen that have had a similar accident Whether it’s they need some talk to Or help guiding them to get prosthetics That would function better. The Reason I came out so good I had God, And my dad that lost the same arm 15years before me he inspired me not to give up.

[brandonmckeever]

Rest In Peace Brother! Your memory will live on forever in the brotherhood!

[nlcrme]

As I sit here watching this beautiful tribute to Jeremy White, his wife, family and brothers in the field I am reminded of how we take for granted the dangerous and hard work that these wonderful men and women perform every day so our families can have power. We need to stop every now and again and say a prayer every day for these every day Heroes. Without their hard work we would all be in the dark...literally!
When my brother was doing in-home dialysis we had a bad storm and it was in the suction phase of peritoneal dialysis, you see we were only 3 weeks a way from me donating my kidney so my brother could receive one. Our neighbor works for Georgia Power and he was so kind he made sure he called me to let me know that he was going to help us get up and running asap. We also have a lot of elderly folks in our neighborhood too so he told me to let everyone know they were going to take care of us. When they were describing how all of the workers feel like family it may me think of our neighbor that works for Georgia Power and how he is more like a big brother to me than a neighbor because he is always thinking of not only our family but all of the elderly people that live around us too. He understand that people would worry and fret even though the power outage may only be a few minutes to a few hours. Every one in our neighborhood is just so grateful to our hard working friend and now, after watching this, I understand how dangerous his job is and will be praying for him and his family each and every day.
Thank you Southern Pine Employees for sharing your story with us and God Bless You All.

[mulekickhandmadeguitars]

In my whole 39 years working on a power linecrew, we had two electrocution deaths. In both cases, the linemen had made little, rudimentary, fundamental mistakes that killed them. Sometimes it's the little stuff that kills you. So sorry about Jeremy.

[badasssnow]

Jeremy went to keep the lights on up in heaven, that shines down on all of us. Lineman here, my condolences.