Powerlines FOG

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Questions and Answers

What is the first action to take when power lines are down?

Determine the type of electrical problem.

Locate both ends of the downed wires.

Request the utility company to respond. (correct)

Secure the area and deny entry.

What should be done if occupants need to leave a vehicle that has power lines on it?

Occupants should wait for the utility company to arrive.

Occupants should open the door and jump out simultaneously. (correct)

Occupants should roll out of the vehicle.

Occupants should step out carefully.

Why must all downed lines be considered energized?

They can cause minimal risk.

They are always safe to touch.

They could reset and become energized unexpectedly. (correct)

They do not conduct electricity in rain.

What is the rule of thumb for establishing an operational perimeter during an electrical incident?

Maintain a distance of one complete span of wire on either side. Signup and view all the answers

How should water be used around energized electrical equipment?

Apply a fog spray at the base of the pole. Signup and view all the answers

What hazard should be avoided around transformers?

PCB hazards and oil pools. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with apparatus near downed lines and power poles?

Place apparatus away from down lines and power poles. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon can cause a de-energized line to become hot?

Manual operation of a switch. Signup and view all the answers

What method should be used to secure the area around downed power lines?

Request Police or Sheriff’s Department for assistance when necessary. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential danger of downed power lines due to 'reel memory'?

They may curl back or roll on themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if occupants must exit a vehicle with downed power lines?

They should open the door and jump free without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the advised response when a utility company is not immediately available?

Secure the area and deny entry until help arrives. Signup and view all the answers

How should an operational perimeter be established at an electrical incident?

By securing a perimeter one complete span of wire from either side of the fallen wires. Signup and view all the answers

What actions should be avoided when spraying water around energized equipment?

Using hose streams that may conduct current. Signup and view all the answers

What potential danger should be recognized when dealing with downed power lines due to 'reel memory'?

They may spring back into their previous position unexpectedly. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Power Line Incidents

Request utility company: Always call the utility company for assistance.
Determine the electrical problem: Identify the type of electrical problem and provide the dispatcher with the precise location (e.g., pole number, house number).
Treat all downed wires as energized: Assume any downed wire is live and potentially lethal.
Position apparatus away from downed lines: Park fire apparatus at a safe distance from downed wires and power poles.
Locate both ends of downed wires: Identify the full extent of the downed wires.
Secure the area and deny entry: Establish a perimeter around the incident to prevent access.
Set up operational perimeter: Use the 'one complete span of wire' rule to determine the perimeter distance (one span of wire on either side of the fallen lines).
Request law enforcement assistance: Call the Police or Sheriff’s Department for support when necessary.

Power Lines on Vehicles

Do not touch the vehicle: Avoid direct contact with the vehicle.
Occupants remain inside: Instruct occupants to stay inside the vehicle unless there is immediate danger (e.g., fire).
Safe exit procedure: If occupants must exit, instruct them to open the door and jump clear of the vehicle without touching the vehicle and ground simultaneously.

Safety Precautions

Downed lines are always energized: Assume that downed lines are live, even if they appear inactive.
Lines can become re-energized: Lines can become re-energized unexpectedly due to manual switching, automatic re-closing, induction, or backfeeding.
Power lines have "reel memory": Downed lines might curl back or roll, causing unpredictable movement.
Use caution with water: Water conducts electricity, so use caution when spraying water around energized equipment. Avoid spraying directly into power lines; use a fog spray at the base of the pole.
Prioritize area protection: Your primary responsibility is to protect the surrounding area from potential hazards.
PCB hazards: Be aware of potential PCB hazards, specifically the dangers of transformer oil smoke. Avoid and contain any pools of oil.

Power Lines Down

Request utility company assistance.
Determine the type of electrical problem and provide the dispatcher with the location (pole number, house number).
Treat all down wires as live.
Park apparatus away from downed lines and power poles.
Locate both ends of downed wires.
Secure the area and deny entry.
Establish an operational perimeter with a distance of one complete span of wire on either side of the fallen wires.
Request assistance from the Police or Sheriff’s Department when necessary.

Power Lines on Vehicles

Do not touch the vehicle.
Instruct occupants to stay inside the vehicle.
If occupants need to exit the vehicle due to fire or other life threats, instruct them to open the door but not step out.
Instruct them to jump free of the vehicle without touching the vehicle and ground simultaneously.

Safety Considerations

Downed lines should always be considered live and potentially lethal.
Lines can become re-energized through manual switch operation, automatic re-closing mechanisms, induction from nearby energized lines, or backfeed conditions.
Downed power lines may curl back or roll on themselves due to “reel memory”.
Exercise caution when spraying water on or around energized electrical equipment.
Hose streams can conduct electricity. Never spray directly into power lines, use a fog spray at the base of the pole.
Prioritize protecting the surrounding area.
Be aware of PCB hazards: smoke is potentially fatal, avoid and contain pools of oil around transformers.

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Description

This quiz covers essential safety procedures for managing power line incidents and handling downed wires. It includes guidelines for securing the area, identifying the type of electrical problems, and the necessary protocol for requesting utility and law enforcement assistance. Ensure you understand these critical safety measures to protect yourself and others.