High voltage worker stories: mark savage

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owner of deadbreak

Location: jupiter, florida
years in the trade: 24 years

@sav_1776
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Ive found that military veterans often transition especially well into this work, bringing with them discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic that serve them, and the team very well

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Stories in the trade

This series hands the mic to the folks who keep the lights on—how they got in, what they’ve seen, and where the trade’s headed

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how did you first hear about the trade and how did you get into your first role?

I was first introduced to the Electric, Gas, and Telephone industry through a few friends who worked in the field. After completing my service in the Marine Corps, I began speaking with them about potential career opportunities. Additionally, my aunt worked at Mass Electric when I was younger, which gave me early exposure to the industry.

What kind of training/education did you have to get your current job?

I successfully completed a 3-year, 9-month Underground Lineman Apprenticeship and have earned multiple manufacturers splicing certifications. My experience includes working on and training both apprentices and journeyman linemen across Network, Throwover, URD, and Radial Underground systems. I am proficient in splicing and training on PILC and polymeric cables, transition splices, premolded splices, as well as cold-shrink, heat-shrink, and taped splice kits.

What's one thing about this work that outsiders totally misunderstand?

One of the biggest misconceptions within and outside the industry is the true scope of a Cable Splicer's work. Many people associate underground work primarily with URD (Underground Residential Distribution Systems) since that's what is most visible. However, URD work can be performed by either Overhead Linemen or Cable Splicers. The core of "pure underground" work involves manhole and vault operations in major metropolitan areas across the U.S. This type of inner-city underground work is far more complex and presents a completely different set of challenges compared to standard URD systems.

A lost art:prepping for a splice

What do you wish someone had told you when you first started on the job?

I often wish someone had taken the time to explain the reasons why behind the tasks we were performing. Our industry is heavily built on tribal knowledge, and too often apprentices are taught what to do without truly understanding why it's done that way. To develop safer, more capable, and more confident professionals, we need stronger training programs that emphasize not only the task itself but also the purpose and reasoning behind it.

What's the most high-pressure or intense situation you've had to handle?

Chipping lead on a faulted "hot network" feed that is burning from manhole to manhole requires precision and expertise. In this situation, the cable splicer must work ahead of the fault and systematically cut each leg clear. With every cut, the electrical load and amperage are redistributed among the remaining legs, leaving the final leg heavily loaded. This process is intense IYKYK.

What's something that went wrong on the job but taught you something important?

Not all worksite incidents are electrical in nature, medical emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes can and do occur. When working in and around the public, it's critical to remember that unexpected situations can arise at any moment. As a crew, we must always be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to any type of emergency to ensure the safety of everyone on site. I was not prepared for that!!
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Our industry is heavily built on tribal knowledge, and too often apprentices are taught what to do without truly understanding why its done that way.

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What's your proudest moment on the job so far?

I take great pride in the fact that individuals I have trained continue to reach out to me when they encounter challenges in the field. To me, this reflects the trust and confidence I have earned as both a mentor and a resource they can rely on in critical situations.

What kind of person thrives in this work and What kind of person doesn't?

In my experience, I've seen people from all walks of life succeed in this industry, and I would never say that any one type of person doesn't belong here. That said, I've found that military veterans often transition especially well into this work, bringing with them discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic that serve them, and the team very well.

we’re opening the floor to the folks who do the work

⚡ Features of real workers in the trade 
⚡ Craft features 

⚡ Tips for the trade

Just real experiences, real lessons learned, and real advice from people who do this work every day.

We want to hear from you

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We're High Voltage Industries

High Voltage Industries started because the most dangerous and essential work in America is also the most invisible. You put your lives on the line every single day and people don't even know what you do. 

 

We're here to share your stories and honor the sacrifices you make so people can flip a switch every day. And we make gear for those who literally risk their lives to keep the world running.

This is your story

Working in conditions others won't face, taking risks others can’t even imagine, solving problems others can't understand, carrying responsibility others can't handle. The grid doesn't maintain itself.

 

We're telling that story.