Wired up for safety

By Hayley Leatherwood May 2024

Discover how local co-ops are partnering with the community to keep members safe

An ordinary errand run took an unexpected turn when 7-year-old Conner Hakel and his grandfather, Bryan Ballard, stumbled upon a scene straight out of an action movie – a splintered power pole, broken and hanging precariously by its wires. What ensued was nothing short of a heroic tale, starring a pint-sized protagonist and the staff at Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (NOEC).

Conner wasted no time in identifying the potential danger looming over their Grove community.

“That is not safe,” he exclaimed to his grandfather, his young voice filled with concern. “That needs to be fixed fast before someone gets hurt.”

Armed with determination and a smartphone camera, the NOEC members set out on their mission. Capturing the pole’s ID numbers with a quick snapshot, they made their way to NOEC headquarters, ready to take on the responsibility of keeping their neighborhood safe.

Inside the NOEC office, they were met with warmth and understanding by a kind-hearted member service representative. With unwavering confidence, Conner shared the details of their discovery, and the representative assured them that their message would reach the ears of the repair crews, who would be grateful for such precise information.

The adventure didn’t end there. Before bidding farewell to the NOEC building, Conner seized the opportunity to immortalize his moment of heroism with none other than the iconic Willie Wiredhand, the longtime mascot of rural electric cooperatives nationwide.

Conner believed in the power of his actions.

“I know they will fix it fast,” he declared confidently.

As they made their journey back down the county road less than 10 minutes later, his faith was rewarded. Multiple crews were already hard at work, resetting a new pole and ensuring the safety of their surroundings.

With a beaming smile, Conner turned to his grandfather, triumphant.

“See, I told you they would be here,” he exclaimed, his trust in the co-op affirmed.

Through his brave actions, Conner not only safeguarded his neighborhood but also proved that education and awareness have the power to change the world, one broken pole at a time.

Knowledge is power

In the month of May, cooperatives gear up to observe National Electrical Safety Month, an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of electrical safety. Co-ops are champions for safety initiatives that safeguard their members’ lives and livelihoods.

For rural electric co-ops, safety isn’t just a priority – it’s a way of life. Serving vast stretches of countryside, co-ops power homes, farms and businesses, bringing light and connectivity to even the most remote parts of Oklahoma. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and ensuring the safety of members and employees alike is a constant goal.

The foundation of electric co-ops is the Seven Cooperative Principles. One of them is Education, Training and Information. Cooperatives provide education information to members in their service territories.

“Electricity is a very powerful thing,” Megan Jackson, Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative (VVEC) communications specialist, says. “The more people learn about electrical safety, the greater chance we have of protecting ourselves and others from serious injury.”

VVEC, based in Collinsville, has a key objective of public awareness. The cooperative endeavors to shed light on the hidden dangers of distribution and transmission lines, ensuring that the community is well-informed about associated hazards and voltages. Through targeted educational initiatives, they aim to instill a culture of vigilance and responsibility.

This month, the co-op plans to host a safety event, inviting all members to come enjoy a meal and learn about electrical safety. Amidst the hustle and bustle of rural life, finding time for safety education can be a daunting task.

“We know our members are extremely busy and always on the go,” Jackson says. “Simply getting people to take the time to attend an event, click a link or read a newsletter can be a challenge.”

To overcome this obstacle, the cooperative focuses on creating captivating content that marries entertainment with education, ensuring vital safety messages resonate

with their members. Recognizing the diverse learning preferences within their community, VVEC employs a multifaceted approach.

“Not everybody learns or receives information the same way,” she notes.

By balancing in-person events, mailed information, and a robust social media presence, they endeavor to reach every corner of their demographic spectrum, bridging gaps and fostering inclusivity.

Preparedness is key

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC) based in Norman, is committed to educating everyone, from local fire and police departments to school groups of all ages, about the workings of electricity, with a special focus on safety measures. The co-op’s programs cover essential topics such as understanding fuses, voltage and the fundamentals of power line design. But the programs don’t stop there — co-op employees go hands-on, teaching participants how to effectively handle risky electrical scenarios like car accidents and fallen power lines.

OEC’s Live Line high-voltage demonstrations are tailored to suit audiences of all ages, ranging from elementary school students to professionals. The co-op’s fully equipped trailer brings the learning experience to life with interactive demonstrations, including electrical arcs and a captivating hot dog experiment.

Daniel Lofland, OEC energy efficiency and solutions specialist, conducts the demonstrations. He scales the presentation based on the audience.

“I know small children don’t understand basic electricity, so I try to bring it to their level and talk about their favorite electronic devices in the home. I will teach them how electricity makes those devices run and how even that small amount of electricity can be deadly,” Lofland says.

On the other hand, if the demo is for a first responder group, Lofland might target scene recognition and safety around downed lines. They will also have a group discussion ask about specific scenarios they have encountered and lessons learned.

“No matter what group we are working with, I feel like the key objective is to educate our members with the hope that if they are ever in a dangerous situation involving electricity or, more specifically, power lines, they have a basic understanding of how to react and potentially save their life or the life of someone else,” Lofland says.

When he returns to places he has presented before, like schools, and kids either remember or have heard the stories and start talking about what they are going to see — that tells Lofland the demonstration makes a lasting impression.

“If we are done doing our demonstration and the audience says things like, ‘Wow, I never knew that!’ or ‘I had no idea how dangerous that was,’ then I see it as a success,” Lofland says.

The overall impact of these efforts resonates far beyond the confines of a classroom or community center. Through innovative educational initiatives and engaging outreach programs, Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives empower members to use electricity with confidence and competence.

As Conner’s story reminds us, knowledge truly is power – and when wielded with purpose and conviction, it has the capacity to save a life. In a world powered by electricity, safety isn’t just a priority; it’s a shared story in which everyone has the responsibility to be a hero.

How can you get wired up?

You’re invited to participate in one of the electric safety public awareness event hosted by some co-ops across the state. Click here to find an event near you!

Take steps to protect your family!

Electricity should be respected. Here are a few ideas to implement at home:

• Call OKIE before you dig.
• Look up. Tall growing trees should be planted a minimum of 20 feet away from power lines, and 50 feet away to avoid future pruning. A mature height of less than 15 feet is recommended for trees planted near power lines.
• Know how to handle any electric equipment connected to a power source.
• Use power strips with built-in circuit breakers to prevent overloads.
• Install tamper-resistant outlets or use outlet covers to prevent children from inserting objects into electrical outlets.
• Keep electrical appliances away from water sources to prevent electrical shocks.
• When power lines fall, stay away and call.

Know your co-op cares about you. If you have a question, your co-op is only a phone call away.