He is courageous, and he works quickly and carefully under all circumstances.
David Slocombe, 52, has been an “all-rounder” with the Barbados Light & Power (BL&P) for the last 31 years, and his passion for the job is so electrifying that there is no stopping him.
According to Slocombe, he sees his job as most important, and he is “very happy when Barbadians are happy”; and while he admits that he has always looked forward to payday, he is more concerned about thoroughly and safely completing a job.
“I am most focused on giving it my all at all times. Most mornings I go to work, I have to check in with my supervisor and get a task. I then go and discuss with my crew what the task is.
“Then we would go get the materials that we need if we don’t have them, and we go through the safety aspect and how we would approach the job. We then decide who do what. I am a foreman.”
Slocombe said that apart from working on the trucks he planted poles, trimmed trees around lines, and installed transformers, cables and street lights.
He said he used to consider his job risky when he first started out; but not so any more. Slocombe said over the years he acquired the adequate knowledge of how to work safely, and
“When I first came to work at the company I was fresh out of secondary school. There were a lot of older guys there and while working with them, for some reason I grew to love the company and my job. Being there taught me a lot of respect and work ethics.
“That’s why now, at my old age, I can help out some of the younger guys who join the company. Even guys who have a little problem can come to me and I would help them out,” said Slocombe.
When this Archer’s Bay, St Lucy resident is not busy restoring electrical power or carrying out some other related important task, he can be found relaxing at home, listening to music, or at the beach, or watching a game of cricket.
After the passage of Tropical Storm Tomas, Slocombe was one of many BL&P crew working assiduously to restore well needed electricity across the island.
He said it was no challenge for him. “I have travelled on several occasions to help restore electricity in other islands in the Caribbean. I went to Antigua, Turks and Caicos and Bermuda; so when it came to home, it wasn’t the first time; and I got through the post-Tomas restoration very easily.
“Growing up I have always wanted to be a cricketer, but I couldn’t make the grade,” he said laughing, “so I took the next best,” said Slocombe.
He admits though that despite his knowledge and good work ethics, he had a few challenges along the way.
“I sometimes have challenges with customers. Sometimes I go in an area and I am doing a disconnection, because sometimes I have to do that, and some people would want to know within half an hour of paying their bill why we can’t put back on the electricity.
“They want us to come instantly. Sometimes the traffic . . . on the road affects us. Sometimes the weather affects my job,” he said.
Slocombe said on mornings before leaving home he would pray for strength and safety. He advises that “if you have a problem at home do not bring it to work. As soon as you leave the house try and forget the problem you have at home and focus on work”.
