DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla., – Congratulations to our newly certified electricians! The City of DeFuniak Springs has partnered with Jacobs Engineering, our wastewater contractor for almost 20 years, to provide basic-level electrical engineering training and certifications to our Public Works staff.

Maintenance Technician Ethan Norris, Parks Custodian Ricky Nelson, and Street Technician Drake Pennington signed up for the free training to enhance their skill sets. They received hands-on training including troubleshooting, wire diagram interpretation, basic electrical components, and worksite safety. Each participant had to wire a working electric panel for their final project and test.

I’m training for traffic signals in the transportation department,” said Drake Pennington, a street technician who has been with the city for one year.  He and Norris are pursuing other certifications.

Jacobs Instructor Randy Rosbury, a 40-year licensed electrician, taught the 4-day course in basic electricity to a class of seven public works technicians from the City of DeFuniak Springs, Ponce de Leon, and the Jacob’s team.

Coordinated by Jacob’s Water and Sewer Project Manager Stewart Duncan, the Maintenance Training Program is a win-win for the city and our contract team. “This program improves their technical skills to reduce maintenance costs in the field and increases job safety which is the greatest value by improving their skill sets,” said Duncan. The City of DeFuniak Springs looks forward to hosting another training session soon.