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Suwannee Valley

How SVEC builds a culture of safety

OCTOBER 2025

FALL FESTIVITIES

Explore more than haunted houses this season

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

Get ready for Touch-a-Truck and the 2026 Youth Tour

Safety in numbers

Have you considered how many safety precautions you take daily? Most of us probably look both ways before crossing a street, wash our hands to protect against getting sick or take any number of other steps to protect ourselves and those around us without even thinking about them.

Executive VP/CEO MICHAEL S. McWATERS

For those who work with high-voltage electricity, safety must be front of mind. Making a careless mistake isn’t an option. When a single slip-up can result in serious injury or even death, relying solely on habit or muscle memory just isn’t enough.

That’s why Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative makes it a priority for all employees to remain vigilant about safe practices around electricity. An important part of that is continuing to learn about the latest safety equipment and best practices. In a way, it ties right into the fifth cooperative principle, providing education, training and information for both our employees and our consumer-members.

SVEC has a safety record that I think we can all be proud of. But a culture of safety isn’t something that just happens on its own. It requires hard work and accountability from everyone at our cooperative to ensure that both they and their co-workers go home every day just as healthy as they were when they came to work.

In this issue, you can learn more about how your co-op has built that culture and what goes into maintaining high safety standards each day. You can also read about the National Safety Stand Down, which SVEC took part in last month as part of an effort to draw attention to safety priorities across the industry.

Of course, while safety on the job is of the utmost importance, we also place a high value on the safety of our consumer-members. That is why you’ll find tips for staying safe around electricity at home in this newsletter. And don’t forget to join us for Touch-a-Truck on Nov. 22, a local favorite where kids can learn about some of SVEC’s safety equipment up close.

You can also find out more about Youth Tour applications, which are opening and ending earlier this year. If you or someone you know is interested in the opportunity to visit Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., to learn more about cooperatives, be sure to apply before Nov. 21.

As much as our electric system has evolved over the years, and for all the transformative technology it has made possible, it is still crucial that we all respect the dangers it can pose if not handled carefully. Here at SVEC, you can trust that we will continue building a culture of safety that you can be proud of. ■

Suwannee Valley

October 2025

Kiosk:

Lineworker

DON’T POST SIGNS ON POWER POLES

We’re inundated with ads everywhere we go, but one place we should never see them is on power poles. Attaching posters or signs to utility poles doesn’t just create an eyesore, it can be a life-threatening hazard for lineworkers.

Staples and nails that remain long after signs are gone can snag lineworkers’ safety boots or even tear the protective clothing that serves as their first line of defense against electric shock.

Attaching materials to a wooden pole can degrade the pole’s quality and stability, and the posted items can distract drivers passing by.

If you see poles or guy wires that have been damaged or disturbed in some way, please call an SVEC member service representative at 800-447-4509.

In observance of Thanksgiving, SVEC’s office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28.

The drive-thru payment kiosk is always available, as is our 24-hour outage reporting system. Standby crews will restore power if needed.

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Culture of safety

SVEC builds trust through training, communication and care

Safety isn’t merely a checklist item at Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative. It’s a culture built into every conversation, every inspection and every storm response. For SVEC Safety Manager Craig Ragan, believes that culture comes down to caring about people.

Craig began his SVEC career in 1989 as a meter reader. He then climbed the ranks as a lineworker, foreman and supervisor before stepping into the safety manager role five years ago. That career path, he feels, gives him credibility with the crews in the field and perspective on the risks they face.

“I want the guys and the gals at SVEC to know I care about them,” Craig says. “Of course, I care that everything gets done safely, but it’s more than that. If people know you care about them, not just the job they do, but about their well-being, it goes a long way.”

Focusing on the little things

Each Monday, Craig conducts safety checks throughout the SVEC campus, inspecting everything from first-aid kits and fire extinguishers to workspaces.

“The little things are the most important,” he says. “A nail, a staple or a screw that falls off a truck. If I don’t pick it up, it could puncture a $400 truck tire. Small things become big things if you ignore them.”

He adds that while crews are trained to catch potentially big problems, like a frayed rope on a derrick truck, he also zeroes in on issues like potholes in a walkway that could lead to a twisted ankle.

Preparedness is another cornerstone of SVEC’s safety culture. Regular fire drills, bomb-threat simulations and other emergency exercises help ensure employees know exactly what to do under pressure.

“If you practice doing it enough times, when it actually happens, it’ll be second nature,” Craig says. “You automatically know your emergency exit route because you’ve already walked it numerous times.”

Monthly safety meetings reinforce these initiatives. Crews gather to train and review incidents, including near misses — close calls that could have caused accidents but didn’t.

“All of our near misses become training tools,” Craig says.

SVEC undergoes a Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program mock inspection on campus.

Lineworker Calvin Palmer, left, watches as fellow lineworker Mark Crum prepares an automated external defibrillator during a pole-top rescue drill.

ABOVE: Journeyman Jason Hurst works during a night restoration after Hurricane Debby.

LEFT: A lineworker secures climbing gaffs before ascending a utility pole.

“If something happens to one person and they keep it to themselves, nobody else learns from it.”

One recent near miss involved a tie-down strap used on pole trailers. A steel bar broke during tightening, nearly causing a serious injury. An in-house team researched a solution and instituted a new type of winch system.

“Now, that problem will never happen again,” Craig says.

Communication is key

The process highlights the emphasis on communication. Employees are instructed to report a problem for discussion, no matter how big or small they think it may be.

This year, as it does every three years, SVEC is participating in the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program, in which inspectors from co-ops across the state evaluate each other’s facilities.

“It’s not just about making SVEC better. It’s about making everybody in the state better,” Craig says. “One of our linemen came up with a motto: ‘If you stay ready, you never have to get ready.’ That’s what we live by.”

SVEC has even instituted its own in-house safety achievement team, made up of employees from across departments. That diversity is intended to help bring fresh perspectives to inspections and conversations.

Weathering the storms

The surge of extreme weather in recent years has tested SVEC’s storm response. When the response involves hundreds, even thousands, of outside lineworkers arriving to help restore power, the emphasis on safety over speed is heightened.

“If that means somebody won’t get their power tonight, then we’ll do it tomorrow morning when conditions are safer,” Craig says.

That mindset extends to detailed storm protocols, including carefully coordinating the work of all lineworkers through SVEC’s “war room.”

“It can feel like organized chaos,” Craig admits, “But with constant communication, everybody knows where they’re supposed to be, and we get it done safely.”

Caring for Our People

Last month, SVEC joined utilities across the country in the Nationwide Safety Stand Down, pausing to reflect on fallen lineworkers and recommitting to safe practices.

The top levels of SVEC leadership reinforce that message. “We’re blessed that our general manager and board wholeheartedly support safety,” Craig says. “When the boss stands up and says, ‘We’re not worried about the job, we’re worried about y’all,’ that’s a big deal.”

For Craig, the motivation behind every aspect of his job is deeply personal. “I want everyone to go home safe, see their kids’ ballgames and enjoy their families,” he says. “The job’s important, but family is most important. Knowing I can help make that happen is what makes this work so satisfying.” ■

RIGHT: Gloves like these are dielectric tested and rubber-insulated to protect against electricity up to 30 kV.

BELOW: Many pieces of safety gear connect to a climbing belt, including fall restraints, gloves and a bolt bag—for holding small parts. These items help lineworkers safely make repairs on electric poles.

Jack-O’-Lantern Mac and Cheese

INGREDIENTS

1 pound uncooked macaroni of choice

3 cups water

2 cups milk

RECIPE SHARED BY FLORIDA DAIRY FARMERS

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 cups cheese(s) of choice

Salt and pepper to taste

6-8 orange bell peppers

DIRECTIONS

Combine the pasta, water, milk, mustard and seasonings in a large stockpot. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil, stirring pasta occasionally. Continue cooking, stirring once or twice a minute, until pasta is al dente. Cooking time will depend on the shape of the pasta you choose, so keep a close eye on it.

Safety first

Remove pot from heat. Do not drain, there should be some liquid left. If there is too much liquid, scoop out the excess and reserve it in case some needs to be added back.

Add the cheese to the pasta and gently stir until the cheese is completely melted. If the pasta seems too dry, stir in some of the reserved liquid as needed. If desired, season with salt and pepper.

Slice the tops off the peppers and set the tops aside. Remove the peppers’ inner seeds and membranes. With a sharp knife, carve a jack-o’-lantern face into a side of each pepper.

Fill the hollowed peppers with the pasta mix, replace the tops and serve. ■

Electricity powers modern life, but it is dangerous if not handled carefully. Check back here each month for new tips on how to stay safe around electric power at your home or business.

Halloween decor has come a long way. Simple spiderweb strands and ghostly sheets are overshadowed by inflated, flashing, fog-spewing, animated haunts requiring a maze of extension cords. Here are some tricks from the National Fire Protection Association to ensure those displays are safe:

• Make sure every item to be plugged in is listed by a qualified testing laboratory, such as UL or Intertek, and rated for outdoor use.

• Outdoor devices need ground fault circuit interrupter protection, either via an outdoor GFCI outlet or use of an inline GFCI cord set, to prevent electric shock.

• Use only extension cords rated for outdoor use.

• Check older extension cords for fraying, broken cord ends and missing grounding blades. If damage is found, get rid of the cord.

• Make sure all cords are safely routed away from where trick-or-treaters will walk. ■

To learn more about building safe electric habits, click the Outages & Safety tab on svec-coop.com, and follow us on social media. /sveccoop @sveccoop

Fun fall travel treats

BY JANET K. KEELER, VISIT FLORIDA

Fall is a special time in Florida. Halloween is a biggie, and in Florida, it’s much more than just one night of trick-or-treating. Professional and collegiate football games are also huge, but those who enjoy this season cannot live by haunted houses and touchdowns alone. The calendar is crowded with many other things to do in the Sunshine State.

Food and wine shine

The big daddy of them all might just be the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, which ends on Nov. 22 after a 75-day run. Disney World’s EPCOT transforms into a showcase of food and wine with tastings, seminars, celebrity sightings and a wide-ranging schedule of musical acts. But there are plenty of other events to tickle the fancy of a curious traveler.

City walls as canvas

St. Petersburg continues to grow its reputation as an arts city with the annual Shine Mural Festival, held every October and now in its 11th year. Walls through the city’s vibrant downtown and adjacent areas become blank canvases for local, national and international muralists, while visitors watch the works take shape. Walking and tram tours run to the various work sites, and the city’s lively night scene becomes even livelier with other events celebrating the festival.

Time to veg out

The Central Florida Veg Fest, set for Oct. 25 in Orlando, touts itself as one of the biggest and best in the country, drawing hundreds of food and product vendors and presenters from around the world. Attend a seminar, take a yoga class and sample creative and delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes. Also, bring your dog — there’s an animal haven where your four-legged companions can get a drink.

Hot rod heaven at the beach

Get ready for a blast from the past as polished chrome and engine roars of yesteryear take over Panama City Beach for Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Nov. 6-8. The four-day car-lovers‘ extravaganza features 125 auto vendors, a swap meet and the car corral. The big attractions, though, are the thousands of hot rods, custom cars and vintage trucks to ogle, not to mention music, carnival food and activities for the kids.

More than football

Fall in Gainesville is synonymous with Gator football, but that’s not the only game in town. The Downtown Festival & Art Show, set for Nov. 15-16, provides some diversion in its 44th year with about 240 artists showing their works along the streets of the historic city center. The Gators will be on the road the weekend of the festival, giving art lovers plenty of places to park, plus hotels to stay in. The artwork spans all mediums, from painting to jewelry to ceramics. There will be music and food, too. 

The walls of St. Petersburg buildings become canvases during October’s Shine Mural Festival.

Don’t miss Touch-A-Truck

You’re invited to join in the fun at this year’s free Touch-A-Truck family event hosted by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative.

Children and adults of any age are invited to touch and explore various trucks, emergency vehicles and heavy machinery at SVEC’s office, 11340 100th St. in Live Oak, on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vehicle drivers and operators will be there to show off their service machines and answer any questions.

Apply for the 2026 Youth Tour today!

SVEC is accepting applications from high school juniors for the February youth tour of Tallahassee and the co-op’s campus in Live Oak. While in Tallahassee, students will explore Florida’s legislative process.

Possible activities include a visit to the state Capitol, participation in a mock bill debate on the floor of the Senate or House of Representatives and visits to the Florida Supreme Court and offices of state legislators.

To be eligible for the Feb. 4-5 tour, a student must be enrolled in the 11th grade of a high school or homeschool program in SVEC’s service territory and have an unweighted grade point average of at least 3.0. The student must also be a dependent of an SVEC member but cannot be the child or grandchild of a current SVEC employee or trustee.

• Free admission

• Bounce houses and other activities for kids

• Food trucks selling goodies to eat or drink

Two students on the February tour will also be selected to represent SVEC in Washington, D.C., as part of the weeklong Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, hosted June 15-20 by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. They will be flown to Washington, D.C., and join students from around the country on visits to sites such as the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Smithsonian museums and Mount Vernon. SVEC will pay for the trip.

More information and a tour application form are available through junior class guidance counselors or online at svec-coop. com/youth-tour. Applications must be submitted to SVEC by Friday, Nov. 21.