Georgia Power teaches Dekalb County Fire Rescue about Electrical Safety

Georgia Power recently taught a series of classes on electrical safety to the Dekalb County Fire Rescue Department. The classes are provided by Georgia Power’s Staff, Safety and Health Specialist Eric McClure to ensure that emergency responders are informed of the basics of responding to an emergency that include downed lines or fires involving batteries or transformers.  

While each scenario is different, the basics taught in these half day classes give responders knowledge that they may not receive from other training sessions. 

Georgia Power works with emergency responders frequently as they are typically the first on the scene. Power lines, poles and meter boxes can often add an additional danger in structure fires or accidents. Responders are taught to treat every power line as live, but knowing what to look for and safe distances from active lines can aid them in a life safety response.  

“If we can enable our community to be stronger and serve the public better, that’s the ultimate goal,” said Eric McClure. “Firefighters are public servants just like us, so when I teach classes on how to approach electrical systems in emergencies, I walk away knowing that when those firefighters go home to their families, they are more knowledgeable than the day before.” 

Georgia Power hosts classes throughout the year to educate first responders. In worst case scenarios, Georgia Power and first responders work together to protect lives and property. Building relationships with full-time and volunteer departments throughout the state is important because knowing additional information and who to call in a worst-case scenario speeds response and saves lives. When Eric visits an agency, he teaches multiple classes to cover each of the shifts for that station. While he may not be able to host each employee, those that attend the classes are able to walk away with additional information to share with the entire department. 

Georgia Power also provides more specialized training to departments. If you are a Georgia first responder and want to learn more about electrical safety and response to electrical fires contact your local Georgia Power Area Manager for more details.