DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — First responders from the Dothan area recently participated in Alabama Power’s Safe-T-Zone program, a high-voltage electrical safety presentation designed to help emergency personnel recognize electrical hazards and respond safely before utility crews arrive.
According to Alabama Power, the free 45-minute presentation was held at the Wiregrass Public Safety Center and is offered to first responders, law enforcement officers, paramedics, firefighters and volunteer firefighters throughout the company’s service territory.
During the training, Alabama Power line workers demonstrated several electrical safety hazards using the company’s custom-built Safe-T-Zone trailer, which generates 14,400 volts of electricity to simulate real-world scenarios involving both overhead and underground power lines.
The presentation covered electrical safety around transformers and utility poles, recognizing dangerous electrical hazards, and what to do if a power line falls onto a vehicle. Attendees also received information on safely responding to emergency scenes involving energized electrical equipment.
“Always think that a power line is hot until you are told that it’s not by a power company lineman,” said Thomas Phillips for the Pinckard Fire Department, SGT/EMT, who attended the presentation in Dothan
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“Safe-T-Zone presentations rotate yearly through Birmingham, Western, Eastern, Southern, Mobile and Southeast divisions to reinforce the company’s commitment to first responder and community safety,” said Miranda Hurst, public safety awareness program manager at Alabama Power.
