Suffolk Fire & Rescue and Community Electric Cooperative (CEC) completed joint training the last week in May so that emergency responders learn to react quickly and safely to emergencies involving electricity. This is the first training of its kind for CEC, its subsidiary RECORE, and the City of Suffolk, with plans for the training to be offered annually moving forward. The comprehensive demonstration included policies and procedures for utility disconnects.
Over the course of three days, 120 firefighters participated in the training, utilizing 49 apparatus from Suffolk Fire & Rescue to further integrate skills learned. The training was intensive and interactive, showcasing the true dangers that electric lines present if approached inappropriately. Representatives from CEC and RECORE were on hand for questions and live demonstrations with the goal of the training being to enhance the firefighters’ skill sets and awareness when responding to future crisis situations.
Suffolk Fire & Rescue Chief Michael Barakey noted, “We always appreciate opportunities to work with our community partners to ensure Suffolk Fire & Rescue personnel have quality training to respond to incidents in our City. Our mission is to protect the citizens and businesses in Suffolk, and this type of training goes a long way to accomplishing that objective.”
Steve Harmon, President of CEC, was on hand during the final training session. “CEC and RECORE are involved in new and emerging technologies, and those create safety challenges. As new technologies are implemented more and more in residential and commercial applications, it is imperative that our first responders know how to deal with these things on the horizon,” said Harmon. “We look forward to continuing to work together with the City of Suffolk for the mutual benefit of the first responders and for our linemen.”
As part of the training, CEC and RECORE brought an electrical trailer prop for the demonstrations. This display is constructed with the same poles, transformers, and line hardware used by your local utility to assist you in understanding the electrical system. “The opportunity to bring new and emerging technology into the region, and to make sure our first responders have the tools and knowledge they need to be safe in responding to any situation, is very exciting,” said Glen Presson, CEC Manager of Operations and RECORE Director of Operations. “Our mission is to change the way the world is energized - and to do that safely is at our core.”
About CEC & RECORE
CEC and its subsidiary RECORE are proud partners in this training opportunity for the City of Suffolk.
Community Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Windsor, is a not-for-profit, member-owned energy provider that serves over 11,000 homes, farms, and businesses in the counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex, and the City of Suffolk.
RECORE is one of the nation’s recognized leaders in the energy industry providing premium, turn-key solutions for standby emergency power, resiliency through microgrids and energy intelligence, and utility scale engineering and asset management services. RECORE is committed to meeting your needs with unbeatable quality and reliability.