Cody Hotline School shapes the future of electrical safety, operations

A popular lineman training program called the Cody Hotline School equips participants with the technical skills and knowledge they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively. It allows them to connect with industry professionals and peers. The school’s emphasis on hands-on learning, flexibility and collaboration ensures that participants leave with practical skills they can directly apply in their work.

The Cody Hotline School, held annually in Cody, Wyoming, provides an important training ground for linemen – hailing from states including Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Nebraska, and beyond. This year, over 100 individuals participated in the school’s offerings to enhance their skills and prioritize safety in their work environments. The Wyoming Electric Cooperatives and the City of Cody sponsor the program, which provides a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training. WAPA focuses on substation safety, switching, metering, and mobile transformer installation. The hotline school course offers line work training, which is supported by a team of instructors from the electric cooperatives.

Since its establishment in 1995, the Cody Hotline School has adapted to meet the evolving needs of the industry. Initially focused on transformers, underground systems, and distribution sections, it offers comprehensive training in transmission and substation systems and other relevant areas. WAPA, a key partner since 1998, provides expert instructors and valuable insights into power system operations and maintenance.

School’s in for summer

The early August training sessions included classroom discussions and practical exercises. For instance, during an interactive switching exercise at the Big George substation, instructors guided participants through the process of switching, from removing a component from service to tagging it and putting it back into service, providing a real-world experience.

Pete Miller, an instructor at WAPA, has been assisting with the switchman training portion of the program since 2019. “The great thing about the Hotline School is that we receive feedback from every class to customize the next one while also having enough flexibility to modify the class to meet the specific needs of the attendees,” said Miller.

This adaptability ensures that each session is tailored to address the unique challenges faced by the participants, many of whom come from small rural electric cooperatives and municipalities that may have limited resources for such training.

All WAPA hotline school instructors stress the importance of fully engaging in the training. “We encourage students to participate actively because if they have questions or want to learn more about something, we want to address it immediately instead of waiting. That’s the great thing about the course – we have the flexibility to make changes on the spot so they can get the most out of the class.”

This approach enhances the learning experience and fosters a collaborative environment where participants can share their knowledge and learn from one another.

WAPA’s role enhancing electrical safety

High Voltage Electrician Dave Hart has taught substation safety at the Cody Hotline School for the past eight years. Hart’s sessions focus on the critical aspects of entering and working within a transmission substation. He explained, “We teach how to observe different safety features when entering a transmission substation and the importance of grounding, security perimeters, and understanding electrical equipment.”

His piece of the training is particularly valuable for participants from distribution cooperatives new to the complexities of transmission substations.

Hart’s class also emphasizes the importance of inspecting the substation for damage, which could compromise safety. “When you enter a substation, be vigilant and look for signs of vandalism where thieves might have cut grounds or fences,” Hart added.

The training underscores the importance of situational awareness and thoroughness in ensuring personnel safety while maintaining the electrical grid.

WAPA’s involvement in the Cody Hotline School goes beyond the basics. Electrical Engineer Wayne Metzger, who has been a part of the school for over 15 years, highlighted the value of hands-on training with mobile substations.

“We teach all aspects of choosing, transporting, setting up, testing, installing, commissioning and decommissioning a mobile substation properly and safely,” Metzger noted. “This class provides insight into how substations and equipment inside substations work, which is an additional benefit of attending the class.”

Training for real-world challenges

Crews from Cody, Wyoming, assist in setting up the mobile substation, which provides a unique opportunity for training with real-time exercises. Participants gain a practical understanding of a mobile setup and can operate the equipment under instructor supervision. This hands-on experience is invaluable, especially for those needing access to such training resources in their home organizations.

“We have had everyone from linemen, electricians, engineers, techs, management and even engineering and construction firms attend the class. Many utilities have mobiles but have not provided training or have no means of providing training for their staff,” explained Metzger.

Power System Dispatch Trainers Arthur Saenz and Brian Graybeal were crucial in delivering training on safe switching practices. Graybeal emphasized the support from WAPA’s leadership team in the regions it serves, particularly in rural electric associations and municipalities.  “We help rural electric associations, companies, municipals, co-ops, etc., with resources they may not be able to develop internally,” Graybeal said. “This includes processes, procedures and training as outlined in chapter one of the Power System Operations Manual, which is all about safe switching.”

Saenz’s and Graybeal’s training sessions covered the six fundamental switching steps based on decades of analysis and improvement in safe electrical switching. They emphasized the importance of consistent nomenclature and equipment identification in WAPA substations, ensuring everyone involved in the switching process speaks the same technical language.

“We offer this training to help ensure safety across the areas we serve, primarily focusing on the safety of workers and their communities. We want them to come home safely,” Graybeal added.

Saenz echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of instilling safety and best practices in the minds of young apprentices and journeymen. “We stress safety as much as possible and discuss WAPA’s procedures and policies to ensure a safety culture. The training provides plenty of takeaways that personnel can apply during their daily work,” Saenz said.

Building relationships and sharing knowledge

The collaborative nature of the Cody Hotline School fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility among participants. Miller mentioned the career opportunities created during the training, noting that some attendees worked for WAPA after completing the program.

“It’s about building relationships too. Recently, a person who took the course called me and asked for guidance, so we talked it through,” Miller said. “I was able to give him some advice and food for thought for the next time.”

The Cody Hotline School represents more than just a training program; it is a critical part of the infrastructure that keeps the Western region’s power systems running safely and efficiently. Through the dedication of its instructors and ongoing support from WAPA, the school continues to provide a valuable resource for linemen across the region – one that helps them hone their skills, stay safe and build a more robust, more resilient electrical grid for the future.

WAPA especially recognizes and thanks the employees of WAPA’s Cody maintenance facility who assist the instructors with time and attention to ensure the continued success of the hotline school.