NCJ Number
216783
Date Published
2004
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This report, which is intended for both emergency responders and the general public, presents general guidelines for safety and security around electrical infrastructure.
Abstract
The report advises that when present or arriving at a scene where the electrical infrastructure may have been damaged, the scene should be surveyed and analyzed for any hazards. Fallen or low-hanging wire should be treated as energized and dangerous. The power company should be contacted, and oneself and others should be removed from the scene until the power company declares the area safe. The same advice is given for a downed telephone wire, since it could be touching a downed energized wire a distance from the scene. Should a vehicle strike a utility pole and cause electrical wires to fall across the vehicle, witnesses should warn the car's occupants to remain in the vehicle until the power company arrives and ensures that it is safe to leave the vehicle. If vehicle occupants are in danger from fire or a possible explosion, the critical issue in the manner of leaving the vehicle is to ensure that occupants' bodies and clothing are not touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time. This is done by placing both feet on the rocker panel and then jumping from the vehicle while keeping both feet together and having them land on the ground at the same time. Then, rather than running from the landing spot, they should hop away with both feet landing together at the end of each hop. Other safety guidelines pertain to the safe management of electricity in a house fire and safety and security at an electrical substation and a transmission tower.