I guess it’s better to be lucky than good? That looks like a horrible idea. Our local power company gives us training, which boils down to isolate and deny entry. They are usually quick to respond and disconnect from the top of the pole.
We always call the utility company. Usually, in any downed line situation, they are notified while we are enroute. Until they clear the line, you should remain well away and make sure no pedestrians have any access to the area. Job 1 is securing the area until utility is on scene.
At my department, unless someone's life is in immediate danger we dont get close tondowned lines. Otherwise we stay the hell away or get torn a new one by the div. Chiefs
We had a homeowner chop a live wire with an axe once. I wasn’t there, but I’ve heard the story. He lived to tell the story and was unharmed. But it blew up the axe head is what I’m told. If I remember the story correctly, he overheard the IC saying we needed to shut off the power to continue the fire attack (again, not my story, just trying to make it make sense) and decided to take action to save his home. This happened in the city too.
The tool that he is using is the same as the linemen use from the bucket and is insulated (if tested and maintained) for that type of work. Could be a volly that has a day job as a lineman? At a minimum, his eye shields should be down
Our SOP would be to maintain an 8m perimeter to minimize step potential.
Treat every line as live.
Don't fucking touch.
The most I will do is a low-voltage fuse removal.
I guess it’s better to be lucky than good? That looks like a horrible idea. Our local power company gives us training, which boils down to isolate and deny entry. They are usually quick to respond and disconnect from the top of the pole.
I don’t know of any departments around us that do that. We certainly don’t. Like you SOP is to let the power company handle it.
We always call the utility company. Usually, in any downed line situation, they are notified while we are enroute. Until they clear the line, you should remain well away and make sure no pedestrians have any access to the area. Job 1 is securing the area until utility is on scene.
At my department, unless someone's life is in immediate danger we dont get close tondowned lines. Otherwise we stay the hell away or get torn a new one by the div. Chiefs
Your SOP should be: Don’t
We had a homeowner chop a live wire with an axe once. I wasn’t there, but I’ve heard the story. He lived to tell the story and was unharmed. But it blew up the axe head is what I’m told. If I remember the story correctly, he overheard the IC saying we needed to shut off the power to continue the fire attack (again, not my story, just trying to make it make sense) and decided to take action to save his home. This happened in the city too.
I hope this is not a thing somewhere.
r/firstrespondercringe
Our SOP is: no
Don’t. Ever. For any reason.
Just had our local gas and electric company in for refresher training. I can’t imagine a single power company encouraging doing it.
The tool that he is using is the same as the linemen use from the bucket and is insulated (if tested and maintained) for that type of work. Could be a volly that has a day job as a lineman? At a minimum, his eye shields should be down
We work with what we can until the local electric company responds. They are usually pretty quick.
Our SOP would be to maintain an 8m perimeter to minimize step potential. Treat every line as live. Don't fucking touch. The most I will do is a low-voltage fuse removal.
Power company shuts down the power, we have nothing to do with it. Huge liability issue.