Local People: Will Kent, Power Line Technician, Wainwright
Jun 2, 2026, 21:42 PMAt FortisAlberta, we do more than just deliver your power. We’re your neighbours, friends and community members. Serving more than 240 Alberta communities, we value connecting with customers. And in doing so, here’s a chance for you to get to know one of our people. Allow us to introduce Will, Power Line Technician based in Wainwright.
Originally from Marwayne, Alberta, Will has been with FortisAlberta for more than four years. When he's not playing his part ensuring that FortisAlberta customers receive safe and reliable electricity, Will spends time on the golf course, mountain sledding, camping and spending time with his wife and dog in the Alberta mountains.
Can you tell me how the work you do makes a positive impact on FortisAlberta customers?
Our work provides safe and reliable power to both urban and rural customers in the Wainwright and Provost areas. We help ensure customers are connected in a timely manner and we want to make sure they have positive experiences with us when crews and customers are interacting in the field.
What’s something surprising or unique about your job that people might find interesting?
One unique element is performing live line work, meaning working on lines or equipment that remain fully energized, which takes a lot of training and experience. It allows us to install new poles, make repairs and complete maintenance while keeping the power on for customers. Given the obvious risk associated with this type of work, live line requires specialized equipment, such as bucket trucks, rubber shielding, thick rubber gloves and a lot of planning to make sure everything is done safely.
Do you have a highlight or key memory from your time at FortisAlberta?
I had the opportunity to support future employees at the FortisAlberta 2026 Bootcamp in Red Deer this spring. It was a full-circle moment for me seeing all the new, eager employees starting their careers. I was able to share tips and advice on climbing and what to expect when performing this hands-on work in the electricity distribution industry. It gave me a chance to really reflect on when I was just starting out, what I've learned and where I am today.
How have you seen our service improve since you joined the company?
Our local crews, as well as FortisAlberta as a whole, is always looking for ways to improve. It's a main focus of weekly meetings and Company-wide initiatives. There is a strong focus on project timelines which makes a difference for me, given my role in the field, especially during one-on-one customer interactions. It's always rewarding when we exceed customer expectations as far as timelines go; all the way from the initial design phase through to final construction.
How does your work support wildfire prevention and overall system safety?
Wildfire prevention is part of our planning process and a major point during our formal safety discussions when we arrive at any worksite. This helps us identify hazards and risks in the area before we get going on the job at hand. We come prepared and we know how to respond during any potential wildfire situations. Each of our work trucks is equipped with water packs, fire brooms and other fire mitigation tools and we take preventative measures before leaving any site.
How do you and your team maintain strong safety standards day to day?
We reference resources developed by FortisAlberta using years of data, expertise and first-hand experience from guys in the field. Our switchman reference manual is a great collection of knowledge which outlines step-by-step instructions to perform all manner of utility industry-based tasks safely. We also hold group discussions to plan the safest approach for each project. Everyone is aligned and participates in monthly safety meetings focused on site-specific scenarios in our area to learn and stay aware.
Regarding public safety, we use traffic control when working on roadways to keep both crews and the public safe and informed. FortisAlberta also works with Utility Safety Partners and Alberta schools, elementary to high school, to ensure that as many in the public as possible know the risks and how to stay safe around power lines.
How do you prepare for each workday?
Starting each day with a positive mindset and staying organized helps the morning run smoothly. I have a fairly set routine which helps me feel prepared for whatever I might get up to during my shift.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
With this type of work, each day brings new challenges. If I had to pick something specific, one thing that myself and many of our people in the field really feel is rewarding is the opportunity to help restore power during extreme weather situations. Anyone who's experienced a power outage knows how inconvenient they can be, but not everyone knows what happens behind the scenes if there's a major weather event or some other unforeseen reason for a disruption. In our role, we are those people behind the scenes. It's challenging, but we're doing a necessary job and one that makes quite an impact in the lives of our customers.
What’s the most challenging part of the job?
One of the biggest challenges can be unpredictability. Major storms can mean long hours.
Anything else you’d like customers to know?
We ask for patience during outages as our goal is always to restore power as safely as possible. This means doing it right, not rushing and being absolutely confident in the job we've done before re-energizing.
