Joe Bell, a PG&E apprentice lineman and six-year member of IBEW Local 1245 out of Watsonville, has been named the winner of the union’s 2026 first-quarter photo contest.
Bell captured the winning image while he and his crew were responding to a fire in Watsonville. The photo shows a fellow crew member — a troubleman — booming up to safely drop power lines, a critical step that allowed fire crews to access the area and carry out suppression efforts.
The image highlights the often unseen work IBEW members perform in hazardous conditions to protect public safety and support first responders.
Bell’s photo will run in the Utility Reporter, and he will receive the $500 quarterly prize.