|
|
May pointed out that sometimes there are things that make people feel secure around electrical equipment such as rubber gloves, shoe soles, and certain firefighting equipment.
Sullivan, using a long fiberglass safety pole with a metal hand on the end, touched the wire with a thick rubber glove with a small hole in it. As power arced from the line to the hole in the glove, May explained that even a small compromise in a glove can prove deadly to the person wearing it.
Sullivan also demonstrated with a Mylar balloon, an aluminum ladder and a tree branch. May said the branch was included to show a common danger people undertake when they deal with their own lawns after a storm when limbs and power lines are down.
"What we're most concerned with is after a storm, people want to go right out and pick up the limbs on the ground, but the best thing to do is to leave it," May said. "It's important to wait and clean your yard after the power company has done their work."
Lightning can also be a danger, May said, and any time there is a storm it is important to seek cover.
"If you're outside, just get in your home or vehicle and sit tight," he said. "Lightning is strange and can travel for miles. Lightning is one of the most dangerous things there is."
The Entergy officials also showed the dangers inherent in common equipment used by fire departments. Power arced down the wooden-handled pike pole used to pull down walls and turn over debris, and a trail of smoke floated upward from inside one of the thick rubber firefighting boots.
"This gives you a good idea of what not to do," said Brookhaven Fire Chief Tony Weeks. "Electricity is what the power company is there to fix.
Weeks said he is happy to get his men to any demonstration like the one Entergy held, because there is a sense of security in the equipment that they use.
"Demonstrations like this give firefighters an elevated sense of awareness at electric emergencies," he said. "It's important for them to know what's going on around electrical lines, and to be watching their P's and Q's, so to speak."
Lincoln County Emergency Management and Civil Defense Director Clifford Galey said the program was extremely helpful in showing people how dangerous electric power can be, and that he hoped the presentation could be given again in the future when more volunteer firefighters could attend.
"This is the reason I preach that you have to make sure that a scene is safe first," he said. "Every time it storms and we're dealing with downed power lines, or even in house fires, that balloon should show you what a light socket can do."
Entergy Customer Accounts Manager Kenny Goza said his company does the program because its officials know that electricity is something people deal with every day, and education is the best way to stay safe.
"Safety is a big priority for us, not just for us but for the community as well," he said. "We know how easily you can get hurt and we want to make the public and community safety aware."
