Ameren Illinois and the Peoria Fire Department are partnering to share the importance of safety near power lines.
Tuesday, two sessions of electrical safety training took place for local first responders at the Peoria Fire Department’s central station.
Live Line instructor and retired utility industry worker Steve Hancock performed a live demonstration of a 7,200 volt distribution system.
Hancock went through several scenes to demonstrate what to do and not to do near live lines. He said the training is important for first responders because they’re usually on scene before anyone else.
“99.9% of the time the electric system is very, very safe but in the event something happens, it causes major problems, accidents and including death. So, we just want to make sure people understand what they’re up against and how to effectively deal with it to keep themselves safe and whoever they may be rescuing,” Hancock said.