Hundreds of utility workers made their way to Bonner Springs Saturday to compete in the 34th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo.
About a thousand workers' technical and safety skills were put to the test for the real thing.
"In California there are a lot of fires going on," said Tony Vega, safety manager and 40-year industry veteran.
Those fires took priority for the utility workers who otherwise would have been in Kansas City.
"We all want to be part of something big," said Ramon Garcia, of Southern California.
The skills tests they go through in the competition help prepare them - in a relaxed situation - for what they'll face responding to disasters.
It's something that draws utility workers together from places as far away as Hawaii and Canada.
Although it was Craig Holmes' first rodeo this year, he is familiar with disaster relief.
"That's something we do on a regular basis; leave the country and help other places," said Holmes, who was called to help in Baltimore a few years ago.
Members of his team just got back from Miami where they helped in the recovery from Hurricane Irma.
"We go down there and we work just like we do at home every day - not much changes," Holmes said. "We are working long hours to get people's power back on."
Many at the rodeo treat the event as a chance to meet up with fellow workers, a group they describe as a brotherhood.
That foundation sets the stage for them to tackle the next big outage, together.
"I hope we can get everything put back up and put life back the way it was or even a little better," said Vega.
The winners of the "Lineman's Rodeo" will be announced at a banquet Saturday night.
