Con Edison, O&R Workers Hear the Cheers In NYC’s ‘Hometown Heroes’ Ticker-tape Parade
Those Who Kept Energy Flowing During the Pandemic Are Honored With Other Essential Workers
Workers from Con Edison and Orange and Rockland Utilities joined with thousands of other essential workers today in a parade for the “Hometown Heroes” who never stopped working during the Covid-19 crisis.
“Con Edison is proud to salute New York City’s essential workers at the Hometown Heroes Ticker Tape Parade,” said Matthew Ketschke, president of Con Edison of New York. “Our field crews and control room personnel never stopped working throughout the pandemic to provide our customers with safe, reliable energy. We thank them and all essential workers for their commitment and dedication to our community.”
A cross-section of energy workers - engineers, line workers, members of the pandemic team, technicians, call center personnel and others - represented the women and men of Con Edison and O&R. Confetti rained down for first responders, transit workers, child-care providers, food workers and others in the iconic Canyon of Heroes. These workers spent more than a year playing integral roles in helping the city and region get through the crisis while trying to keep themselves and their families safe.
“I feel so proud for all of us,” said Hiram Tirado, a Con Edison chief high voltage line constructor in Westchester County. “We’re grateful and humble to have been part of this celebration for all essential workers.”
“Wow, I never dreamed I would be part of a ticker-tape parade. That’s for big heroes, said Shaquaina Warren, who works in Customer Operations. “We just did our jobs and tried to help out.”
Maureen Kreider, a nurse practitioner and member of Con Edison’s Pandemic Team, reflected on the honor and remembrance for the employees who tested positive for the virus, 11 of whom lost their lives.
“This is for all of them too,” she said.
The parade honored all essential workers who sacrificed and carried on in their jobs throughout the pandemic.
The work of the utility employees provided power for ventilators that helped victims survive, first responders’ headquarters, the computers children used to learn at home, and other equipment and facilities that were critical during the health emergency.