Quick Start Guide Electric Utilities

SECTION 03: KEY SAFETY MESSAGES

Electricity: Firefighters

Why Address This Issue? Firefighters frequently confront emergency situations involving electricity. Downed power lines, structure fires, vehicle accidents, wildfires, and fires in commercial high voltage installations are just a few of the many incident types that expose firefighters to the risk of contact with power lines and electric utility infrastructure. Firefighters are seriously injured or killed in the United States every year due to inadvertent contact with energized electric lines and other components of electric utility systems. Proper training equips firefighters to recognize and avoid the hazards associated with electrical facilities.

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Developing a Public Safety Communications Program