Mike Gurr from Pompano Beach (FL) sent in these pictures that were passed on from the off-going crew. The photos were taken by M. Callahan on a typical power line down call. On arrival, the crew encountered a downed power line onto a chain link fence. The crew decided to use the TIC to determine what was going on with the fence. as you can see from below, the fence was approximately 300 degrees, and clearly shows up on the TIC. Even more interesting, the power line was actually found to be touching the fence approximately 200 yards away from where the picture was taken.
The TIC can be used in much more than fire situations, and power line down calls are no exception. These situations can prove to be an excellent training opportunity for everyone on the crew. The interesting thing about this particular training opportunity is that an actual heat source is present. Many times, firehouse TIC training does not involve any heat sources and simply involves finding another member in a darkened room. This is in fact training, but it may be teaching the TIC operator bad habits. In the darkened firehouse room (without fireground heat sources) the person shows up as the heat signature in the room, exactly the opposite of what it would appear in real fireground situations. Everyone who has ever trained with a TIC should already know that, but unfortunately, that sometimes isn’t passed n during training.
TIC’s are an amazing tool, but its important to remember, just that… It is only a tool. It takes a skilled operator to use it effectively, and like most other tools, can actually be dangerous in the hands of an untrained operator. It is absolutely essential that we all know how to use a TIC, but it is even more essential that we never totally rely on a TIC.
Great job all the way around. Out of the box thinking is what our job is all about. I am taking this one back to my crew and sharing it.
Wow. really intersting to see the potential for serious injury from an energized powerline fence. great information.
Another good electric fence video.
http://youtu.be/1qkZ3bQF-a0
Is it just the picture, or is that an orange “arc” on the first link of chain on the right side of the lock?
GREAT call, before someone got hurt.
Hey! I sent a post in like that on residential service lines once! Seriously, though, this is one of the best posts ever. People like me that don’t know shit about electricity, need to realize that just because it looks safe where you are, doesn’t mean there isn’t something going on down the street that’ll get ya. And I just wanna be the first to mention meter pulling, cuz’ y’all know it’s coming. All I know is that mama invented electricity. Ben Franklin is the DEVIL!!!!!
We just used the TIC on a recent call. We were dispatched for a car accident with rollover at night. When we got there the pt was long gone. We used the TIC to get a heat signature from the driver seat and determine that the police only needed to find one person. We attempted to use it on the field they took off thru but they had already made a clean getaway.
Lt. Gurr had just finished smoking a fine cigar and had 5-6 cups of hooch when this call took place…
Gotta love the BROTHERS in the Fire Service…
It’s a good thing we don’t have electricity in my first due area….
Another handy use for TICs.. Fuel spills in water. Most of the time the camera show fuel as warm if it is floating.
“It’s a good thing we don’t have electricity in my first due area….”
Coffee out nostrils.
Very good 288.
Sorry about about your coffee!
I just had some TIC training the first part of june. The TIC picture is a good picture. I am trying to not be a spoiler, but I always assume something is powered, just as a safety precaution. I let the the trained power line company’s lineman or electricain to deal with electicity. We had trainers from FDNY and Boston fire train us on the new tics we recived. They told us to be carful when using on hot power lines. I am still a rookie as far as TIC training is concerned. Leave the experianced person to the TIC and still assume there is electricity in the line.
Good post on other options for a TIC. I’m surprised that no one just unplugged the power line. You could use those nifty gloves that are used to pull meters. Just saying.
Skippy –
As a firefighter and licensed electrician I’ll tell you that firefighters shouldn’t be messing with live wires. The ONLY exception might be when a rescue is required, and I’d suggest the “line drag” technique that uses a long rope before going “hands on” with a live conductor, and only in the very few cases where the victim isn’t safer just staying put and waiting for the PoCo.
Those gloves need to be tested regularly, and the thickness required varies depending on how much voltage is in the wires. Most FD’s in our area got out of the practice of pulling meters nearly a dozen years ago.
Stay safe.
Tango
We have long went away from the meter pulling business along with throwing the gloves out into the trash. I was being sarcastic on messing with the power line. Electricity was not my calling and therefor myself and my crew stay away from it as much as possible. The last rescue we had involving energized equipment, we waited on the power co. to DC the source. We still learned that there is enough static electricity built up to “piss you off” according to the lineman. I have seen another department spray a power line away from a front door with a fog nozzle. Would I try that… nope, just try to find another entrance.
My apologized for not being clear on my sarcasm.
Thanks for the information and stay safe out there brother.
The TIC is a great tool on many levels. I enjoy bringing it in on the smells and bells calls in order to get familiar with it. We did an EMS call the otherday where a lady lost half of her finger in the back yard. The TIC was used to help us find it quicker.
Awesome find and share. A good point of thinking about what is going on and thinking outside the box…