FirstEnergy employees participated in National Night Out events across our service territory recently with a demonstration – compliments of the Live Wire Electrical Safety Trailer – that lit up the sky while providing important information about how to stay safe around electricity.

“Employees from Ohio to New Jersey took part in this annual community event to help educate our customers and other members of the public about the dangers of working or playing near energized electrical equipment,” said Jamie McMullen, public Safety consultant, Safety Operations. “Line workers from eight of our 10 operating companies created ‘arcs and sparks’ with the safety trailers while other employees handed out Max Safety activity books and toy hard hats to kids in attendance.”

During the demonstrations, two qualified electrical workers from our Lines or Substation groups – wearing all required personal protective equipment – energize conductors to show how electricity can travel through common objects. A third employee serves as the moderator for the event, explaining what is happening at each point of the presentation and responding to questions from the audience so the line workers can focus on safely operating the equipment.

Stan Holmes, senior Safety representative, Safety Operations, hands out toy hard hats, activity books and electrical safety information to attendees at the National Night Out event in Sandusky, Ohio.

“The trailers highlight potential dangers – specifically in situations where a vehicle accident or severe weather cause a power line to fall or damage other energized equipment,” added Jamie. “They are a valuable tool in our mission to help keep emergency responders and other members of the public safe.”

Public Safety Manager Candy Webb emphasized that participating in events like National Night Out is a great opportunity to interact with the people who live and work in the communities we serve and to show them we care about their safety and the safety of their families. “By taking part in these types of events, we are living our core values of Safety and Stewardship – positively impacting our customers, communities and other stakeholders.”

Participating operating companies included Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company (CEI), Toledo Edison, Penelec, Met-Ed, Mon Power, Potomac Edison and JCP&L.

Celebrating its 39th year, National Night Out is an annual campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Over the years, it has grown to include other members of the community, including fire departments, emergency medical services and a host of other organizations that want to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Most National Night Out events took place on Aug. 1.

Charlie Catlett, son of advanced communications representative Hannah Catlett, shows off his new FirstEnergy hard at Cleveland’s National Night Out event.