Long hours. Sleepless nights. Unpredictable schedules. It’s all part of the job for Esteban Perez and his brothers and sisters at FPL. That’s because they’re part of a pretty special group – lineworkers.

Lineworkers are referred to as first responders of the electric grid. From routine day-to-day calls to being away from home for weeks on end after hurricanes and natural disasters, they’re the ones working to keep your lights on. All the while sacrificing their time with their families. But to them, it’s more than a job – it’s who they are. It’s their way of giving back to the nation and Florida communities they love. Last year alone, hundreds of FPL lineworkers responded to natural disasters around the country:

• Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
• Hurricane Florence in North Carolina.
• Hurricane Michael in the Panhandle of Florida and South Georgia.
• Historic Camp Fire in Northern California.

In fact, by the end of 2018, more than two dozen FPL lineworkers went above and beyond the call of duty, responding to all four of those natural disasters.

“Volunteering in even one restoration event means being away from friends and family for an extended period of time, yet 25 of our lineworkers volunteered for all four mutual assistance events to help others in need," said Manny Miranda, senior vice president of power delivery for FPL.

Their hard work did not go unnoticed. The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) presented FPL with the Emergency Assistance Award for narrowing in on these hard hit areas and helping communities during their greatest time of need. The award is given to select EEI member companies to recognize their outstanding response assisting other electric companies in power restoration efforts after service has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process.

As the state’s largest energy provider, serving more than 5 million customer accounts, FPL is no stranger to responding to natural disasters. After all, Florida leads the nation in hurricane strikes. So FPL is often called upon by other utilities to help get life back to normal for their communities after a major storm.

“We know all too well what it’s like after a hurricane and we will always stand at the ready to provide additional assistance whenever and wherever it is needed,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL.

FPL lineworkers are always willing and ready to help. Because when Mother Nature is at its worst – they’re at their best. It’s in their blood. And the next time Florida battles some of Mother Nature’s worst – hurricanes -- you can rest assured that this special group will be there for you.

And behind each of these lineworkers working to keep your lights on and responding to events around the country, is a family equally as strong and devoted. Hear Esteban Perez’s wife share what it’s like to be married to a lineworker and raise a family.