May 11, 2007

FKEC Participates in Stanley Switlik Career Day

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative recently participated in the Stanley Switlik School annual career day in Marathon.

FKEC donated trees and recycling bins to assist with the school's beautification program. Pictured with the students are (from left, back) FKEC's Alberto Vidal, T.J. Patterson, and Carlos Lagos (in bucket) with Switlik Principal Barbara Wright and Assistant Principal Brett Unke.

For the older students, FKEC's Tim Caba, Adam Pierce and T.J. Patterson hosted classroom activities. They provided a safety demonstration; a meter display that explained the difference in electrical consumption between light bulbs; an opportunity to bend the aluminum wire used on poles; and a discussion of the various career opportunities at FKEC. The students also had the chance to try on real hard hats and safety gloves. At the end of each session the students were given co-op badges and safety booklets.

The younger students were treated to an outside demonstration of an FKEC bucket truck. FKEC crew members Carlos Lagos and Alberto Vidal explained the dangers of electricity and wowed the students by extending the arms of the bucket truck and showing them equipment used by tree crews and linemen. The students were also given safety equipment to try on.

FKEC also donated several native species trees to Stanley Switlik School for the school's beautification program. The co-op also donated free recycling bins for the classrooms.

FKEC is a not-for-profit cooperative utility serving the Upper and Middle Keys.

Apprentice Lineman Carlos Lagos and Right-of-Way Tree Crew member Alberto Vidal talked to the younger students about electrical safety and wow the kids by extending the arm of the bucket truck.	Meterman/Serviceman Tim Caba passed around lightweight but strong aluminum wire for students to try to bend.
FKEC's Adam Pierce uses a safety demonstration kit to illustrate the dangers of electricity.	Stanley Switlik students enjoy trying on real linemen gear.

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