“Do not be afraid, for I am with you,” says the Lord (Isaiah 43:5).
My Gratitude for all Linemen/women:
First and foremost, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all linemen and linewomen out there. Your work is incredibly demanding and requires you to be at your physical and emotional best every single day. Your role involves dealing with extremely high voltage, working on busy highways, in remote areas, during storms, and in extreme weather conditions, both hot and cold. You scale poles that seem to touch the sky, face the frustrations of customers who rely on you to restore their electricity, and are often called out in the middle of the night or during severe weather. You might even be sent to assist several states away from your home. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for risking your lives daily so that the rest of us can continue ours.
Memories….
One of my most vivid memories of my father and his work was that whenever there was a storm, the phone would inevitably ring, and my father would be called out to work. Work for him meant dealing with high voltage lines that had been downed. I remember one Christmas when we were just about to sit down for dinner, and my father was called out. My mother, although displeased with his sudden departure, was more concerned about the severe storm outside. She prayed fervently for his safe return, even if it meant he would miss the Christmas celebrations with his family. On many occasions, storms would rage outside while I knew my father was out in the storm, working at elevated heights with high voltage lines in the dark. He would come home soaked and exhausted, only to report back to work early the next morning. My father sustained injuries at work more than a few times, and these memories still bring a sense of anxiety when I recall them.
It’s A Calling….
However, my father viewed his job differently. He considered it a calling. He was immensely proud to be a lineman, and those who worked with him knew of his passion. Our family business, Nisto Incorporated, was founded by my father out of his passion for preserving the lives of linemen and linewomen. Nisto Incorporated was established in the aftermath of a fatal injury sustained by one of his linemen “brothers”. My father’s grief over the loss of this young man led to depression and panic when the utility company he worked for decided to move from four-man crews to two-man crews. My father, who was 5’6″ and weighed 140 pounds soaking wet, was paired with a man twice his size. He worried about how he could save his “brother” if he became unconscious in the aerial bucket and required CPR within the critical four-minute window.
During this time of grief, depression, and panic, my father turned to God and felt that he received an answer on how he could help preserve the lives of his “brothers”. He drew up plans, applied for a patent, and developed the first aerial boom bucket rescue device. Although Nisto Inc. took off with several utility companies ordering the device, my father continued to work for the same utility company until retirement age because being a lineman was his first love. Even after retirement, he often visited substations as a representative for Nisto Inc., so he could stay connected with his “brothers”.
The Calling Continues…
It has been 47 years since Nisto Inc. became a formal corporation, but the passion that started this business remains alive today. The passion for preserving life is instilled in every item we produce. Our business began as a personal, passionate fight for safety led by one lineman, and it continues with the same fervor. This passion endures because Nisto Inc. is still owned and operated by that lineman’s family. We continue to uphold our father’s legacy with every item we create and maintain another important tradition: we pray over every item we produce. We thank God for each person who uses our products and ask for His protection for each lineman and linewoman. Additionally, we ask for God’s favor for the utility company, utility safety equipment distributor, and all workers involved. This is what my father did, and this is what we continue to do. We also thank God for whatever business He sends our way.