09/19/2014 - On the morning of Friday, September 19, 2014 the National Grid electric company came to the Whitman Fire Department to hold a demo to raise awareness for electrical hazards for Whitman's public safety departments. The live electricity demo trailer has a generator that powers actual electrical equipment that you would find on any street in the country. The National Grid crew explained the different levels of electricity in the lines, and dramatically explained and showed the dangers that electricity inherently has. The demo's included an aluminum ladder against a primary line, a gloved hand against an energized fence, and the dangers of walking over an electrified area of the ground. Crews also showed the dangers of improperly wired portable generators that are used during storms when the power is out. Many of the "illegal" hook ups for the generators put first responders and electrical workers at risk because they can back feed electricity into the grid.
