National Grid demonstrates the dangers of live wires for local fire departments on Monday evening.
Crew leader Justin Elovirta and first class line worker Spencer Criscione use the Live Line Demonstration Trailer to show the effects of coming into contact with high voltage.
An electrocuted hot dog.
First responders from Lenox, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge attended the event at the Lenox Department of Public Works.
Matt Lane of National Grid says its important for first responders to confirm with their utilities if a line is live or dead.
Matt Lane, a supervisor with National Grid, explains the wiring systems firefighters might see when responding to an emergency.
LENOX. Mass. — National Grid employees demonstrated the dangers of live wires on a hot dog during a safety awareness event on Monday.
When the processed meat (representing human flesh) came into contact with approximately 8,000 volts, it ignited and charred. The main message was to assume downed power lines are live, leave them alone, and report them to the utility company or 911 immediately.
"I think the biggest thing is just to teach awareness, get everybody to gain a little respect for the electricity, and to understand enough to know that they don't know whether something is live until we tell them, or something is dead, until it's verified by us," Matt Lane, senior supervisor of operations, explained.
First responders from Lenox, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge saw several test items ignite on the Live Line demonstration trailer: a fake squirrel, ladder, fire boot, and hot dog. These power lines mimic the ones on our streets.
The event was held at the Lenox Department of Public Works. Fire Chief Robert Casucci said his volunteer Fire Department is comprised of people of various ages and from all walks of life, and this information benefits new and longtime firefighters.
"Some people are familiar with the equipment, some people aren't," he said.
"We get everybody out here for this training with this prop and can see the effects of power in different ways, whether it's malfunctioning or just a power line that is down."
The department has about 35 volunteers, many of whom were in attendance.
Lane explained that the power going through the lines on the trailer are the same for most of the lines on the streets, adding, "For a single phase, voltage is just 7,970 volts, and for three phases, 13,800 [volts], and the vast majority of our lines are that."
Crew leader Justin Elovirta and first class line worker Spencer Criscione led the demonstration while wearing rubber sleeves and gloves that are tested every three months for 17,000 volts.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023, there are 150 workplace fatalities on average a year and 5.6 percent of all workplace fatalities are caused by contact with electricity. Nearly half are caused by overhead power line contact.
"It's good information. People have got to realize, don't consider lines dead until the power company tells you it's dead," said William Markham of the Stockbridge Fire Department.
pittsfield.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
Comments are closed for this blog. If you would like to contribute information on this blog, e-mail us at info@iBerkshires.com
