Skip to main content

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

What is The Fifth Wire? Building a Human Safety Net in the Utility Sector with Tom Murphy

Written by Podbean Account on . Posted in Utility Safety Podcast.

In this powerful episode of Incident Prevention’s Utility Safety Podcast, host Kate Wade sits down with Tom Murphy, the founder and CEO of Sweethearts and Heroes. Tom shares the deeply personal journey that led him from the railroad industry and professional mixed martial arts to creating a vital organization focused on “upstream prevention” for mental health. He sheds light on the alarming suicide crisis within the utility sector, where linemen are taking their own lives at a rate of 67.8 per 100,000—more than five times the rate of workplace fatalities. Tom explains the intentional meaning behind his organization’s name, the science of building community, and how their unique “Fifth Wire” program uses an ancient practice called “circle” to forge life-saving connections among workers. Tune in to learn how we can combat hopelessness and prevent “voltage drop” in our own lives and organizations.

Key Takeaways

  • Upstream Prevention is Key: The world often focuses on intervention after a crisis has already occurred, but the real work lies in “upstream prevention”—giving people the tools and community support they need before they reach a breaking point.
  • The Alarming Suicide Rate Among Linemen: The suicide rate for electrical linemen is a staggering 67.8 per 100,000, significantly higher than the general population (12-14 per 100,000) and even the Marine Corps (34.9 per 100,000).
  • The Meaning of “Sweethearts and Heroes”: The name is intentional. In the 16th century, the word “bully” originally meant “sweetheart“—an endearing term for someone who pushes you to be better and gives you hope. “Heroes” are those who choose to jump into action to help others.
  • The Power of Circle: Beyond high-impact presentations, the core of the programming is “circle,” a 400,000-year-old practice where individuals sit together to commune and build deep, neurological connections. This helps create healthy, adaptive social norms within a peer group.
  • Preventing “Voltage Drop”: Tom uses the electrical concept of “voltage drop” as a metaphor for losing the momentum gained from an inspiring event due to life’s resistance. Sweethearts and Heroes implements follow-up systems, like circle, to keep the “voltage” high and ensure the message sticks.

Questions and Answers

Q1: What is the “Fifth Wire” program? A1: “The Fifth Wire” is the name of the program Sweethearts and Heroes developed specifically for the electrical industry. It builds on the organization’s core principles of upstream prevention and creating strong peer networks to combat the high suicide rate among linemen and other utility workers.

Q2: Why does Tom Murphy say suicide is a male issue? A2: While suicide is a human issue, Tom points out that men are statistically more affected. Young men are five times more likely to die by suicide than young women. He theorizes this is partly because men are evolutionarily driven to seek agency (power and resources), whereas women are more driven to seek communion (social bonds). Modern society has often removed the traditional outlets for men to build agency, contributing to a sense of purposelessness and hopelessness.

Q3: How does Sweethearts and Heroes ensure their message has a lasting impact after they leave? A3: They are only interested in working with organizations that want to fix the system, not just host a one-time awareness speech. To prevent “voltage drop,” they implement spaced, repetitive practices like circle sessions over several months. They also offer a “train the trainer” model, including master classes, to teach people within the organization how to facilitate circles themselves and maintain momentum long-term.

Vist https://www.sweetheartsandheroes.com/

#UtilitySafety #MentalHealth #LinemanLife #SuicidePrevention #SweetheartsAndHeroes #UpstreamPrevention

iPi Forum – https://ip-institute.com/ipi-forum/

You can read the current magazine at Incident Prevention Magazine.

Subscribe to Incident Prevention Magazine – https://incident-prevention.com/subscribe-now/

Register for the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo – https://utilitysafetyconference.com/