Manitoba Utility Workers Compete, Raise Money Winners of the annual Nelson River (Manitoba) Fire Fighters Rodeo are Winnipeg Local 2034 members Roland Mousseau, left, Darren Walker, Ray Anderson and Sam Cocquyt, all employed by Manitoba Hydro.
November 2005 IBEW Journal
Nearly 60 IBEW utility members from across the Canadian province of Manitoba participated in a firefighter’s rodeo in June, raising nearly $2,000 for a children’s burn fund.
The 26th Annual Nelson River Firefighters Rodeo is a friendly competition among more than 10 teams of utility workers, virtually all volunteer firefighters and members of Winnipeg Local 2034. Events like hose lay/change and bucket brigade tested firefighting skills. Participants, many of whom traveled up to 14 hours to attend, reveled in the once-a-year event that brings together workers from remote generating outposts and converter stations for Manitoba Hydro.
The vast majority of the 100 volunteers who put on the four-day event were IBEW members, said Local 2034 Business Manager Wally Chudo. Members enjoyed the camaraderie and the focus on their jobs. “These guys rarely get recognized in their own communities,” he said.