Power Line Incidents

Questions and Answers

What should firefighters do when there is no life hazard involved at a vault or manhole fire?

Evacuate the area completely.

Request assistance from the nearest fire station.

Let the fire burn and protect exposures. (correct)

Extinguish the fire immediately.

What circumstance would necessitate a request to shut down the electrical grid?

A routine inspection of electrical systems.

A citizen in contact with a downed power line. (correct)

A minor fire in a traffic signal.

A scheduled maintenance of power lines.

When requesting a grid shutdown, which information is NOT necessary to provide?

Accurate device description number.

Best address possible.

Cell phone number of the Incident Commander.

Exact time of the incident. (correct)

In the event of a vehicle incident involving downed power lines, what must be considered before shutting down the grid?

Potential loss of other services, like traffic lights. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an essential part of the electrical safety awareness protocol for firefighters?

Keep a safe distance from any electrical hazards. Signup and view all the answers

What type of incidents does SOG 300-01 specifically address?

Power line incidents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective when responding to an electrical equipment fire?

To protect the surrounding area Signup and view all the answers

What should personnel assume about downed power lines during a response?

They must always be considered energized Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended hose pattern when spraying water around energized electrical equipment?

A fog pattern at the base of the pole Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered before spraying water on or around energized equipment?

The conductivity of the hose stream Signup and view all the answers

What typically happens to downed power lines after multiple operations to re-energize?

Lock out occurs after three attempts Signup and view all the answers

What are some causes for downed power lines to become energized again?

Manual operation of a switch Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in responding to a downed power line incident?

Perform a 360-degree size up Signup and view all the answers

What should responders assume about all power lines that are down?

They are energized Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant hazard presented by electrical equipment fires?

Toxic smoke emissions Signup and view all the answers

How should personnel respond to the risk of a power line re-energizing?

Treat all lines as potentially live during the entire incident Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended distance to stay away from downed power lines?

At least one span between power poles Signup and view all the answers

In the event of a downed power line involving a vehicle, what action should the occupants take?

Remain inside the vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration when securing an area with downed power lines?

Wait for the utility company to arrive Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you encounter multiple downed power lines over a large area?

Request additional resources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following should not be done when encountering a downed power line?

Touching the downed line Signup and view all the answers

What should you consider when dealing with downed power lines that are in contact with objects?

Identify Exclusionary Zone around the downed lines Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Emergency Response to Downed Power Lines

Downed power lines are always treated as energized hazards due to potential electrocution risks.
Power lines may have "Reel Memory," causing them to roll or curl, complicating the situation.
A 360-degree size up is crucial to assess the entire scene before taking further action.
Utility company response is necessary for securing downed lines and de-energizing them.

Safety Protocols

Establish an Exclusionary Zone equal to the span between power poles; keep personnel and vehicles at a safe distance.
Identify and secure the area to prevent unauthorized entry, maintaining safety until utility personnel arrive.
Never touch vehicles or structures in contact with downed power lines; occupants should remain inside until help arrives.

Electrical Safety Awareness

Electrical fires pose additional risks, including toxic smoke and potential for secondary fires.
Use caution with water around energized equipment as hose streams can conduct electricity; utilize a fog pattern at the pole base.
It is vital to consider all downed lines potentially live, even after attempts to de-energize.

Operational Guidelines

Lockout of downed power lines generally follows three failed attempts at re-energization.
Power lines can inadvertently become energized through various methods, including manual switches or induction from nearby lines.
When safe, firefighters should allow fires in vaults or manholes to burn while protecting nearby exposures.

Grid Shutdown Requests

A request to shut down electrical grids may be necessary in life-threatening situations (e.g., individuals in contact with live lines).
When making such requests, provide accurate location details, device numbers, and incident commander contact information to the communication center.

Additional Notes

Standard Operating Guideline SOG 300-01 was issued on 09/01/2012 and is effective from 10/01/2012.

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Description

This quiz covers the emergency incident activities related to downed power lines, specifically focusing on safety protocols and the initial response steps. Participants will learn about assessing the situation and the importance of treating all downed lines as energized. Prepare to test your knowledge on these critical emergency procedures.