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Wildfires Are Not Our Only Concern…
Source: Southern California Edison
Electrical Safety for First Responders
Santa Ana and Diablo winds will soon be arriving throughout Southern and Northern California. Not only does this pose a significant wildfire threat, but they are also very dangerous to both the public and first responders. Wires down, toppled power poles, streetlight and power outages create additional dangers.
What can you do?
Stay out of electricity’s path! Electricity will travel through conductors including water, the human body and metal objects such as ladders, poles, and fences.
While on scene your PPE does not protect or insulate you from electric shock. Keep yourself safe and out of electricity’s path.
Keep all personnel and equipment far away as possible from overhead power lines. Including service drops that run from utility poles to buildings.
Even low voltage electric shock can kill you. When entering a structure, be alert for indoor electrical hazards.
Be extremely cautious when using water to fight fires near power lines. If you must use water, use a mist, or fog pattern, never a stream.
Do not enter, approach, or touch vehicles that may be energized. Doing so puts you at risk of electric shock and can lead to serious injury or death.
Arriving On Scene:
Locate overhead powerlines and check for down lines.
Spot your vehicle away from overhead powerlines as much as possible.
Assume all powerlines are energized.
The Ten Foot Rule:
Keep all personnel, ladders, and aerial equipment at least 10 feet from energized overhead powerlines. Remember, wind can move powerlines!
Higher voltages require greater distances. Always use the maximum possible distance.
On Scene – Downed Powerlines:
Downed powerlines can be energized even if they do not hum or spark, and anything contacting a downed line may be energized – including the ground. If you know or suspect that a powerline is down, contact SCE or your community’s power/utility company.
Secure the area. Keep yourself and the public at least 30 feet away from fallen powerlines and objects that may be energized. Fallen transmission lines large towers require 100 feet of clearance.
Vehicle Accidents Involving Powerlines or Utilities:
Do not enter, approach, or touch vehicles that may be energized. Take these steps; Instruct vehicle occupants to drive the vehicle away from the line if they can do so safely.
If the vehicle cannot be moved safely, instruct occupants to stay put until an SCE or your local power/utility company gives an all clear. Staying in the vehicle is their best protection against electric shock.
If vehicle occupants are in imminent danger from fire of other hazards, stay away, and instruct them to jump clear without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time. They must land with their feet together and shuffle away with small steps, keeping both feet close together and on the ground at all times.
If occupants are injured, disabled, or otherwise unable to safely exit the vehicle. Your incident commander will tell you how to proceed.
Contact your local utility or power company for additional safety education and training!
Source: Southern California Edison
Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He also is Associate Director for the California Training Officers Association and a consultant for www.Lexipol.com