I&M holds safety training for first responders

SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- Indiana Michigan Power teamed up today with local police and fire departments for special training on handling electrical equipment in emergency situations.

I&M bringing out a safety trailer for the demonstrations.

The trailer is fully equipped with live wires, giving first responders hands on experience handling utility poles, live power lines, and other electrical equipment.

This is the second year I&M is sharing the potentially life-saving information, as summer thunderstorm season arrives.

"They're out there clearing. We've noticed that we were on some storm events. These three department guys were just grabbing wire off the roadway and not knowing if they're hot or not. So it was, I was like, you had to stop them because, like, hold on a second. So they didn't have the information on it, so we put this together to include them on it, because there are first responders out there. They're ones that are out there in the middle of night dealing with this stuff and storm said, and it's important that they're trained and have safety awareness of it," stated Indiana Michigan Power Distribution Line Coordinator Sr. John Albrizio.

The training was held today at New Prairie High School, and were focused on informing workers about the potential dangers at the new Amazon Data Center, the GM Electric Battery Plant, and more under construction there in New Carlisle.