The Gazebo Gazette
PRCC CAMPUS (GG) — Several Coast Electric employees spent a morning alongside students in the Pearl River Community College (PRCC) Utility Lineman program. From paying close attention to all personal protective equipment to witnessing what can happen when items touch the line, the morning focused on safety and what to expect in the field.
Chase Holmes graduated from PRCC’s second cohort of the program in 2009.
“I was planning on the nursing program, but then realized I wasn’t the inside person to be stuck in one office all the time,” said Holmes. “The ability to go to a different site every day and be out in the field was one thing that appealed to me about the program.”
Holmes is now a Safety Coordinator with Coast Electric after years of working in field roles. He helped lead the safety demonstrations outside the Utility Lineman Technology Building.
“PRCC’s program has two great instructors who both worked for cooperatives. Safety is their first and foremost thing here. And that’s the most important part for these guys coming out here: learning to work safely and having those correct work procedures when they come out in the field.”
Jeremy Korn of Biloxi entered the program with the January 2026 cohort. He shared how he and his classmates have grown close over the past few months, becoming like brothers. He appreciated Coast Electric for arranging the safety demonstrations.
“It means a lot coming out here to see the effects of what happens if we don’t do what we’re taught in the field,” said Korn. “It also shows that when you’re working on the crew, everybody should know what’s going on.”
Beyond the presentations delivered using a safety demonstration trailer, students took part in a pole-climbing competition and then enjoyed homemade jambalaya cooked on-site by Coast Electric employees.
Instructors of Utility Lineman Technology, Tyler Davis and Josh Geiger, expressed gratitude to Coast Electric for their continued support of the program.
“We would like to thank everyone from Coast Electric Power Association involved in the Hot Line demonstration for the students today,” said Geiger. “The demonstration solidified the key safety procedures and standards we teach in a hands-on way. Students were able to see in a controlled environment how electricity is provided to customers, as well as handled safely.”
