When responding to power outages, our No. 1 priority is safety for our customers, our employees and first responders. Recently, I&M hosted a unique, coordinated and interactive electrical safety training for firefighters and police officers.
On the first day of summer – complete with plenty of sunshine and hot temperatures – dozens of police and fire departments gathered at I&M’s Elkhart Service Center to learn about electrical hazards. Safety and Health experts, security representatives and lineworkers shared their advanced electrical safety training with local first responders.
“It’s extremely important to share our safety knowledge with those who our customers call in their time of need,” I&M’s Safety and Health Coordinator and event organizer, John Albrizio said. “We work with the agencies regularly and hope they reply on this electrical training when they arrive to a car crash or a house fire.”
Utilizing I&M’s Safety Trailer, lineworkers demonstrated in real-time how to: secure a crash scene involving a downed power line; how to safely proceed if a downed power line is on or near a vehicle; what may happen if someone’s arms or feet come into contact with a power line; and that some standard-issue protective gear – like rubber boots – do not protect from electric shock.
Local transmission and underground lineworkers also attended to explain electrical safety in underground electrical vaults and near substations – which are hubs to lower electrical voltage before electricity is dispersed to homes and businesses.
“At I&M, safety for our employees, customers and communities is our number one priority,” said Brian Lett, Manager of Distribution System for South Bend and Elkhart. “I’m proud of the effort and organization from our safety professionals and lineworkers to make this event a success. I’m thankful for all the local first responders that attended. It’s important we learn from each other and work together to safely serve our communities.”
I&M’s Safety Trailer continues to be a community staple and, since 2012, has been at local fairs, festivals, schools and local first responder events. For more on electrical safety, click here.