Underground Manhole and Transformer Emergencies
Many fire departments around the country respond to underground manhole and transformer fires and emergencies. Steve Marsar on what to look for.
12 min read
utility
The Latest
Rapid Shutdown: The Photovoltaic Safety Feature You’ve Never Heard Of
Rapid shutdown is a PV electrical hazard safety feature that was developed for the fire service. Chris Greene and Tony Granato on what firefighters need…
24 min read
Underground Electrical Vault Fire Causes Outages in CT
An underground electrical vault fire left more than 9,000 Hartford customers without power, forcing Hartford Hospital to operate on generators.
3 min read
Humpday Hangout: Electrical and Gas Utilities
Bill Gustin and other members of the panel talk about fire department operations and electrical and gas utilities.
1 min read
More utility
Humpday Hangout: Lightning, CSST, and Fires
Mike Dugan, Bill Gustin, and the other members of the panel talk with their guests about the hazards of CSST and difficult hose stretches in multiple…
2 min read
Manhole Fire Events: Understanding This Energy Hazard
Manhole thermal events occur every day in the United States. Chris Greene explores what causes them and some firefighting considerations.
14 min read
Utility Control: The Unseen Dangers of Alternative Power Sources
The increased use of consumer solar systems that have battery and generator backup power systems has made things more complex for firefighters.
10 min read
Rural Structure Fire Unexpectedly Involves Lithium-Ion Batteries
Eric Bachman describes an ordinary fire response that turned out to involve lithium ion (Li-ion) battery storage.
11 min read
PG&E Blamed for Dixie Fire in CA
Pacific Gas & Electric power lines sparked last summer's Dixie Fire that swept through five counties and burned more than 1,300 buildings.
3 min read
Utility to Pay $53M for Deadly MA Blasts
A utility company will pay the largest criminal fine ever imposed for breaking a federal pipeline safety law for series of natural gas explosions.
4 min read
Firefighter Basics: Utility Control
It is essential that firefighters have the ability to control an occupancy's utilities, writes Brian Zaitz.
4 min read
Construction Concerns: Plastic Gas Pipes
Plastic natural gas pipes are being found more often inside structures. Gregory Havel takes a closer look at this facet of modern building construction.
4 min read
