For many years, Wabash County REMC has offered an electrical safety program to students in area schools. Again this year, Communications & Member Services Specialist, Rachel Cruz along with linemen Bob Kisner, Bryan Weaver, Eric Wilson and Jeremy Sweet conducted their mini Live Line demonstration to more than 600 4th grade students in Wabash and North Manchester area schools. The table-top display graphically demonstrates electrical safety around the home and farm. Kisner explained “this program is also a valuable reminder to adults of the hazards associated with electricity and power lines."
With the lights dimmed and wearing safety clothing and using several props to demonstrate the effect of a live electric wire, and its electrical hazard to persons and property. The sparks drew “oohs” and “aahs” from students, but the message was serious. “Don’t mess with electricity.” Rachel Cruz told the group of students, “Hundreds of people are electrocuted each year.”
Cruz cautioned the students to keep kites and balloons away from power lines, with a demonstration to show the serious consequences of not heeding his advance. Students learn never touch a live wire or any object that could come in contact with a “live” wire. The most dangerous high-voltage wires have 7,200 volts of electricity pulsing through them. Mylar balloons with the metallic coating can get into a power line transformer and cause a power outage for hundreds of people.
In one demonstration, a lineman uses a hotdog to demonstrate the power – and danger – of high-voltage power lines. Cruz tells the kids that a hotdog can best demonstrate what can happen when human flesh comes in contact with the electric line.
As we present these safety classes, our goal is to do more than to discuss and demonstrate how electrical accidents can occur, hoping of course these demonstrations will prevent such accidents from ever happening. Cruz stresses the dangers of tree trimming, moving farm equipment under power lines and digging in the ground where power lines are buried.
Wabash County REMC is pleased to do our part to promote electrical safety in our community. Safety demonstrations and educational programs is just one of the many ways in which the cooperative invests its time and resources. “We want to educate the kids and encourage them to share the safety tips with their families,” explained Cruz.
Local members of the 4-H Electric Club spent a day at Cook Nuclear Plant’s multimedia center and dune trails in Bridgman, Michigan. Wabash County REMC sponsored the trip, with club leaders Bob Kisner and Ed Gilbert leading the group tour. More than 20 club members and their parents enjoyed the educational program. Kisner said, “This is the clubs second trip to the Nuclear Plant and the 4-H members really like learning about nuclear electricity.”
 The tour guide at Cook Plant explained to the 4-H’ers that that the plant has been part of the community for three decades and it generates electricity for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses served by Indiana Michigan Power.
The students were shown movies and slides along with a mini structure of how the plant makes electricity by splitting uranium atoms. This nuclear reaction releases tremendous energy... The heat from this energy reaction is used to turn water into steam. The steam then powers the turbine generator that turns electromagnetic energy into electricity.
One of the questions asked, if it is safe to live near the Cook Plant? Yes, it was designed, constructed, and continuously monitored to protect the health and safety of the public. The reactor vessel, made of eight-inch-thick steel, is in an enclosed containment building made with three-and-a half-foot thick steel-reinforced concrete and lined with a heavy steel plate. Highly trained operators, plus numerous and redundant safety systems, keep the plant running 24-hours-a say, 365 days a year. The spent fuel is also safely and securely stored on site.
When entering the power plant itself is highly secure and off limits to public tours. However, they do invite students in grades K-college to visit their visitor center. All schools must schedule their tours in advance; no drop-in tours are allowed. Their highly trained security force uses state-of-the-art surveillance and detection equipment, checkpoints and patrols, restricted zones and barriers to meet or exceed every security standard se by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
At the end of the Plant tour, the 4-H’ers were taken on a walk through the dunes beautiful nature trails and got to learn more about the topography geography through their guide and through educational postings along the way. The area is certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council for its enhancement and restoration of wildlife areas.
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