Heroes Behind the Power: Unitil Marks National Lineworker Appreciation Day
UTL
Published on 04/16/2026 at 01:36 pm EDT
Unitil lineworker Andrew Fournier will never forget that day a few years ago when he was dispatched to an accident involving a school bus with potentially live wires on the bus.
At the time of the incident, Fournier was working in the area of some wires that were taken down by a fallen tree, but he quickly shifted gears and rushed to the crash site.
The main priority was ensuring that the scene was safe as the bus driver and a child passenger remained on board.
"We go to car accidents all the time, but when they say children are involved you wonder, 'What am I going to pull up to?' When there's a member of the public involved who doesn't know what's going on, it can definitely be a scary scene," he said as he recalled the tense moments he experienced responding to the call.
Fournier and other lineworkers acted quickly to secure the scene so that everyone on board could exit the bus safely.
For Unitil's lineworkers, that call underscored the critical role they play in public safety, often working alongside first responders during major storms, motor vehicle accidents, and other emergencies.
On April 18, Unitil, a provider of electricity and natural gas to customers in New England, will join utility companies across the country in celebrating National Lineworker Appreciation Day. This is a day that is set aside each year to honor these dedicated men and women who work in all conditions to keep the communities they serve powered and safe.
"We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all of our lineworkers and the sacrifices they make, especially when they must unexpectedly spend time away from their families for extended periods. In many ways, our lineworkers perform a job that's similar to that of a first responder. They always have to be ready to respond at any time of day and in any type of weather conditions to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, remove hidden and potentially dangerous hazards, assist public safety workers so they can operate in a safe manner, and keep essential infrastructure up and running," said Unitil External Affairs Manager Amanda Vicinanzo.
National Lineworker Appreciation Day was established by Congress in 2013 to recognize line crews following the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. The powerful storm struck the Northeast in 2012 and its impacts were felt throughout New England.
Disclaimer
UNITIL Corporation published this content on April 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 16, 2026 at 17:35 UTC.