Staying Sharp in the Storm:

A Field-Ready Guide for Utility Safety 

Extended storm response shifts increase the risk of soft tissue injuries, poor decision-making, and preventable fatigue. Safety leaders can reduce these risks by helping crews manage hydration, nutrition, movement, and recovery using field-proven tactics.

Why Fatigue Management is a Priority During Storm Work

Storm response crews often work 16-hour days, sometimes longer, with little chance for real rest or recovery. Long hours combine with disrupted sleep, poor living conditions, and limited access to hot, nutritious meals to create the perfect storm for fatigue.

In these conditions, reaction times slow, focus fades, and minor mistakes can quickly escalate into serious injuries because the body never resets. According to NIOSH, being awake for 17 hours impairs performance as much as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. Push that to 24 hours without sleep, and the impairment equals a BAC of 0.10%, well above the legal driving limit of 0.08% in every state.

Now picture a lineman on hour 18 of storm restoration. Exhausted and running on an empty stomach since breakfast, he misjudges the weight of a piece of equipment and strains his back. Long hours, skipped warm-ups, and limited food all stacked the odds against him. That’s why the fuel crews put in their body matters just as much as the work they put in on the line, and it starts with what they eat and drink.

What Should Crews Eat and Drink During Storm Shifts?

Storm response crews need more than endurance, they need the right fuel. Eating and hydration directly affect focus, reaction time, and physical output during extended shifts.

• Why nutrition matters: Without steady fuel, blood sugar drops, fatigue sets in faster, and even simple tasks feel harder.
• Why hydration matters: Dehydration slows decision-making, reduces alertness, and raises the risk of heat stress.

To stay effective, crews should pack high-protein, slow-digesting snacks and maintain steady hydration with electrolytes throughout the shift. Because storms rarely allow time for sit-down meals, storm bags should include easy-access foods that don’t require refrigeration or microwaves.

Field-Tested Fueling Strategy:

• Quick proteins: Jerky, tuna pouches, and hard-boiled eggs provide steady energy and muscle support. Protein helps crews stay strong during heavy lifting and reduces fatigue from repetitive work.
• Complex carbs: Trail mix, nut butter packets, and oatmeal bars deliver slow-burning fuel. These carbs keep blood sugar stable, prevent energy crashes, and support mental clarity during long shifts.
• Portable hydration: Pre-filled water jugs and electrolyte packets (such as Working Athlete powders) replace fluids and salts lost through sweat. Using them 1–2 times per shift helps crews stay alert, avoid dehydration, and reduce the risk of heat stress.

Food and hydration set the foundation, but to stay strong and reduce injuries, crews also need to move with purpose.

How Does Movement Affect Performance in the Field?

Pre-shift warm-ups and post-shift recovery reduce injury risk and support decision-making by keeping muscles primed and nerves alert. Lineworkers don’t just lift, they climb, reach overhead, stabilize on uneven terrain, and carry load repeatedly under strain. Without muscle activation, those same tasks wear down tissue faster and raise the risk of sprains or tendonitis.

Warm-Up (Pre-Shift)

• 5–7 minutes of job-specific movement

• Focus on hips, shoulders, and core stability

• Include dynamic movements and muscle rolling

For example, a crew can follow along to one of Vimocity’s job-specific movement routine videos before climbing a pole or reaching overhead to install new fuses or re-close breakers. 

This specific routine activates glutes and shoulders to reduce strain on the low back and rotator cuff, two of the most common injury sites in utility work.

3-Minute Job-Specific Warm Up Before Climbing

Recovery (Post-Shift or Downtime)

• Roll out major muscle groups (quads, traps, forearms)

• Breathwork, like box breathing, to reset the nervous system

• Magnesium supplements (as approved) to support muscle repair and sleep

Using a Massage Roller to Aid Muscle Repair

Tip: A massage roller, lacrosse ball, and loop band can fit into any storm bag or job trailer kit.

Movement sets the body up for success, but to stay mentally sharp, crews also need better strategies for rest and reset.

How Can Crews Sleep and Reset in the Field?

Crews can improve rest quality during storm response by managing light, noise, and recovery habits, even without a bed. Sleep during storm work is rare, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be effective. A 20-minute nap in a truck is better than nothing. In fact, researchers at NASA discovered that pilots who took a 20- to 30-minute nap were more than 50% sharper and performed their duties over 30% better compared to those who stayed awake.

Crews Talk The Importance of Power Naps During Storm Response

Sleep Essentials to Include in a Storm Bag:

• Travel pillow or neck support: Helps crews rest in trucks or staging areas by supporting proper posture, reducing neck strain, and allowing for deeper rest in short naps.
• Blanket or insulated wrap: Provides warmth during downtime in cold or wet conditions, conserving energy that the body would otherwise burn to stay warm.
• Blackout eye mask: Blocks out light in noisy, brightly lit staging areas, making it easier to fall asleep quickly and get restorative rest.
• Earplugs or white noise app: Reduces distractions from generators, radios, or other crews, allowing for better quality sleep in less-than-ideal environments.

Storm readiness isn’t just about personal habits. Let’s look at what field-proven strategies crews can use right now.

Practical Tips for Crews

These strategies were built for crews, not classrooms. They’re easy to apply, field-tested, and ready to use when storm duty hits.

Fuel Smart

• Pack high-protein, shelf-stable snacks
• Eat every 4–6 hours, even if just a handful of food
• Avoid heavy sugar and energy drinks

Hydrate Consistently

• NIOSH recommends drinking at least 1 cup (8 oz.) of water every 15–20 minutes
• Use electrolyte powders, like Wilderness Athlete
• Keep extra bottles or hydration packs in the cab

Warm Up + Recover Daily

• Move with intention before you gear up
• Roll out common hotspots (low back, shoulders, quads) at end of shift
• Use breathing to bring the nervous system down before sleep

Sleep When You Can

• Use rest kits to improve naps or downtime
• Block light and noise whenever possible
• Limit caffeine after the first half of your shift

Stay Mentally Aware

• Know the signs of fatigue in yourself and others
• Prioritize crew check-ins, even if brief

While these tips are important, crews can only do so much on their own. Safety leaders play a critical role in making sure these habits take hold.

What Safety Leaders Can Do to Support Crew Readiness

Fatigue management starts with leadership. When safety pros set expectations, provide resources, and model recovery practices, crews are more likely to follow through.

Leadership Actions:

• Lead by example: Hydrate, warm up, and take recovery seriously
• Distribute field kits: Include hydration packs, recovery tools, and rest aids
• Make warm-ups standard: Kick off every shift with structured movement
• Build recovery into the plan: Set scheduled breaks during multiday events
• Use peer-to-peer accountability: Crews look out for each other better when it’s normalized

Even with the right systems in place, leaders need the right tools. That’s where Vimocity can help. 

How Vimocity Supports Workforce Readiness in Storm Response

Vimocity equips utility teams with practical tools that improve performance and reduce fatigue in the field. Crews get job-specific warm-up videos, recovery routines they can use on and off the job, and easy-to-follow fueling and hydration guides designed for storm conditions. These resources fit directly into their daily operations and channels of communication.

With clear visibility and field-proven solutions, safety leaders can help their teams stay sharp, reduce injuries, and keep crews safe.

Get started with Vimocity and build a storm-ready crew today.