[Scan-DC] Fire Department Response-Electrical Accident

[Blake Bowers]

Today we are taught that the number one priorty is
the safety of the rescuers.  You can do no one any good
if you are dead.

Wood can easily conduct electricity, espically at high voltages
like you find up to the transformers.  Sap, water, all sorts of
things can cause that wood to conduct, and the higher the
voltage the easier it becomes.  Did you know that water in its
pure state does not conduct electricity?  Its the impurities
in the water that cause it to conduct.

Try to disconnect the power if possible.  Residential drops
often have a cutoff at the meter, and the trend is to put the
meter on a pole - then the drop goes either in the air or underground.

Part of your response card to an electrocution should automatically
include notification of the electric utility.  As you are being dispatched
someone at that dispatch center should also be notifying the utility.

In many areas the utility dispatcher actually monitors the local fire
channels to enhance their response.

If your agency just insists on trying to kill themselves, they should get
the proper poles, store them in the protective covers, and have them
HI-POT tested at least every year, more likely every few months.



Don't take your organs to heaven,
heaven knows we need them down here!
Be an organ donor, sign your donor card today.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Antonelli" <Johnantonelli at verizon.net>
To: "Blake Bowers" <bbowers at mozarks.com>
Cc: "Todd Sniffin" <tsniffin at gmail.com>; "scan-dc" <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 8:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Fire Department Response-Electrical Accident


> That is what we were told.  Do not touch the person, shut the power off
> or try to move him away with a wooden pole.  the alternative is to leave
> him there until the power company gets there and that is not conducive
> to life.  What are they teaching now? Wait for the power company?  I
> have mno problem with that but it assumes the victim is dead.
>
> Blake Bowers wrote:
>> Use just any old wooden pole?
>>
>> Can I have your instructors name?  I would love to get his
>> teaching credentials pulled, or at least some education provided
>> for them.   What training center?
>>
>> Of course, what do I know.  I am the Chief of a Fire Department,
>> been in the Fire Service since the late 70's, EMS since 79 (back when
>> the Paramedic program was 640 contact hours long).
>>
>> Even the Electric company has special poles for putting even CLOSE
>> to the active lines to pull switches and breakers.  HI-POT tested a
>> minimum
>> of yearly.  Most Fire Departments do not have this equipment.
>>
>>
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