SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WKRG) — The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, was on a mission straight to the top of WKRG News 5’s 1865-foot tall broadcast tower on Monday.
Carr came to southern Alabama on a foggy morning to highlight an industry, and a career, many may not know exists.
Only around 200 people climb and maintain these massive broadcast towers nationwide. On this day, Carr made it 201.
“If we are going to continue to expand connectivity we need a lot more tower climbers. It’s a great job. It’s a good-paying job and it’s a career,” said Carr.
After a harness and safety check, he took a twenty-minute ride in a lift called a “pan” and transferred onto the tower where the real work of climbing began.
“It is always a fun experience to get up in the air and hang with a tower crew,” said Carr.
Army veteran turned tower technician Hasani Hogan was on Carr’s crew Monday.
“What a guy. It shows his bravery, his abilities and his commitment to the broadcast industry and our guys that do this. He has done it before and is willing to do it again.”
After almost an hour and a half, the Chairman was back on the ground but still looking up. “It was fantastic with Hasani and his crew. They’re getting amazing work done.”
His mission to bring attention to that work, was accomplished.