Alabama Power’s Safe-T-Zone helps Montevallo, Dothan first responders recognize electrical hazards

First responders in Montevallo and Dothan recently attended a high-voltage safety presentation featuring Alabama Power’s Safe-T-Zone.

Safe-T-Zone is designed for first responders who arrive at accident scenes before Alabama Power line crews. It provides attendees with vital knowledge to recognize electrical hazards and reminds participants how to handle potentially dangerous scenarios safely.

In Montevallo, more than 100 first responders attended the presentation at the Montevallo Fire and Rescue Department Station No. 1, where line workers demonstrated multiple electrical safety risks. A few weeks later, an additional 40 to 60 first responders attended a demonstration at Dothan’s Wiregrass Public Safety Center.

The 45-minute electrical safety presentation is free for first responders, law enforcement, paramedics, firefighters and volunteer firefighters in Alabama Power’s service territory.

Alabama Power’s custom-built trailer generates 14,400 volts of electricity to stage safety demonstrations, utilizing both primary and secondary voltage to show the risks of overhead and underground power lines.

“It’s a part of our safety protocol now,” said Todd Burr, chief of police for the Montevallo Police Department. “We are changing a few things after this presentation.”

Topics included:

• Electrical basics: Safety around electricity, transformers and utility poles.
• Roadside emergencies: What to do if a power line falls on your vehicle and how to avoid downed lines.

Attendees from the Dothan area also received critical information on recognizing electrical hazards and responding safely at emergency scenes.

“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.

“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.

For additional information about Safe-T-Zone or to find out when it’s being presented in your community, contact Public Safety Awareness at 800-806-SAFE (7233) or email safety@alabamapower.com.