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On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative members received a text from 833-417-5291. We encourage our members to save this number in their phones so that our messages are less likely to appear as spam or unknown. You may receive text notifications about important...

Live Line Safety

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Lineworkers Mason Moses, left, and Caleb Flippo speak to students at Palm Bay Academy’s Truck Day.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s (GCEC) live line safety demonstration trailer recently visited Port St. Joe High School and Southport Elementary School.

The trailer, built by Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative employees, features working electrical equipment. The presentation begins with an overview of the safety gear lineworkers must wear and use. Lineworkers then demonstrate what happens when vegetation, squirrels, balloons, kite strings, a ladder, a fire hose, and a rubber boot come into contact with an energized line.

Matthew Fleming, top, explains live line safety to students at Port St. Joe High School. Taylor Hammack, bottom, leads the demonstration for students at Southport Elementary School.

An energized car door offers a powerful lesson on why you should not approach a car that has downed lines on it. Lineworkers also show how to hop away from a vehicle with power lines attached if you must exit.

The demonstration is available for local schools, fire departments, civic groups, and other organizations. To schedule a visit, call Kristin Douglas at (850) 265-3631, extension 3002, or email Kristin Douglas.