EMFD raises power line safety awareness

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It’s that time of year . . . lightning storms are more prominent and hurricane season is among us. But how much do you know about a downed power line?

Each year, dozens of people throughout the nation are electrocuted by a power line. Many are those in the workplace, many are street related. Approximately 70 percent of such electrocutions will result in death.

Severe storms can keep your East Meadow volunteers busy for hours at a time. A critical weather event can take days. How much do you know about your safety when a power line falls?


First and foremost, never approach a downed power line . . . It may be arcing, it may not . . . Always assume the power line is energized and your life is in danger. Remain at least 300 feet away and call your East Meadow Volunteer Fire Department. Since an assessment of the scene will likely prompt the EMFD to call for PSE&G for resolution, and the Nassau County Police for road closures, residents also may opt to make these calls immediately as well.

A line fallen from a pole can be anything from fiber optic, to older telephone line, to TV and internet cable service, to a deadly energized power line.

Should a power line fall on your fence, keep away . . . Do not touch the fence. A metal fence can become a conductor of electricity for great distances . . .

Coming in conduct could result in electrocution. Remain indoors and again notify the EMFD.

Power lines can fall on a vehicle. If you are away from the vehicle, keep away. Coming in contact with a vehicle attached to an energized power line will result in electrocution.

Should you be inside a vehicle that is suddenly in contact with a power line, do not exit the vehicle. Your vehicle’s rubber tires can act as an insulator. The ground around your vehicle may be energized. Although it may seem safe, stepping out of the vehicle will result in electrocution. Warn all those who approach to assist, to stay away and call for help.

Call your East Meadow Fire Department. Give clear information of the danger you are in. It will assist us preparing a plan as we are responding, and enable a safer approach to what would otherwise be an unknown situation, likely in the dark of the night.

Should the vehicle be on fire, and you have no other choice, remove any loose clothing that could get snagged. Keep your feet together, your hands at your side, and jump free and clear of the vehicle. The goal is to avoid touching the vehicle and ground at the same time. Keep your feet close together and shuffle away from the vehicle without picking up your feet until you are at least 35 feet away. This will reduce the possibility of your legs becoming a bridge of electricity that could run through your body. Continue ahead to a more distant safe zone.

Do not return to the vehicle until the professionals advise it is safe to do so.

Your East Meadow volunteers are well trained to handle all types of power line emergencies in coordination with PSE&G. Regardless of your situation, be sure to follow their instructions upon their arrival to ensure your safety, that of your neighbors, and our responding firefighters. 

John J. O'Brien is an active Ex Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department. He is the District Supervisor of the Jericho Fire District and has over 30 years of Dispatch and Supervisory experience.