Local people: Warren Babe, Operations Lead, Coaldale (pictured far left)
Mar 11, 2024, 19:27 PMServing more than 240 communities throughout Alberta, there’s a lot of opportunity to get to know our customers. But we also want you to get to know us. That’s why we’re excited to continue our look at those who keep the lights on.
Introducing Warren Babe. Residing in Lethbridge, Warren (pictured left) has been with us for 17 years. Warren’s connection to southern Alberta goes beyond where he grew up. Given the area’s role in Alberta agriculture and being one of Canada’s largest irrigation farming territories, he knows how critical a reliable electricity distribution system is to area farmers, and all of our customers throughout Alberta.
Can you provide an example of the work the crew takes on in their day-to-day?
My crew performs service work in the southern area, Raymond, Magrath, Warner, Coutts. A normal day would consist of completing orders, scheduled appointments, trouble calls or completing maintenance.
Can you speak to a unique element of the job that people may not think about right away when considering the work of a FortisAlberta PLT?
Something that makes a Power Line Technician (PLT unique compared to most is that when storms hit, or weather turns nasty, most people seek shelter. A PLT gets out there and goes to work.
What are some more notable ways that your work impacts or benefits the community?
With the Coaldale service points being such a valuable resource for Alberta’s agriculture, one of Canada’s largest irrigated farming areas, keeping the power on and responding to the needs of these farms is critical to everyone in Alberta.
Can you talk about a highlight, success, or key memory from your time at FortisAlberta?
The spring storm in April of 2010 where we lost approximately 1,400 poles in the Coaldale/Taber area. I remember the success of the company coming together and restoring power to customers in an amazing timeframe given the damage and conditions we were dealing with.
Can you speak to your favourite part of your work?
Helping customers, especially when it means getting power back on after severe storms and bad weather. Always nice to hear the relief in a customer’s voice when you restore their power.
What would you consider one of the more challenging parts of the job?
Dealing with our area’s intense winds.
How does the work of your crew ensure public safety throughout our service area?
With FortisAlberta’s safety policies and procedures, we focus on everything from traffic, electrical, overhead risks, and all other elements that impact our customers during their day-to-day.
In your role, what stands out as a project or service improvement you’ve been a part of putting into practice and how do you feel it has impacted or better connected FortisAlberta to our customers?
Between another crew here, led by Ken Lee, as well as my own, we were able to move a main line feeding the Town of Magrath and south country from a cross country existing line through tough terrain, to along a major highway. Very challenging, but a great success for FortisAlberta and the people who were involved here. It improved our reliability to the area as well as an appreciation from the customers.
When you’re not at work, what might your community members find you doing? What might you be known for outside of work that might surprise us?
I love spending time in the mountains either at our local ski hills or biking/hiking along trails in the Crowsnest Pass.
