GRU teaches Cub Scouts about power line safety

Suzette Cook | City of Gainesville

Oct 17, 2022 12:30 pm

GRU Utility Safety and Training Facilitator Gary McKenzie puts rubber gloves on Cub Scout Brooklyn LaPlant who then tried to twist a nut and bolt. Looking on are scouts Bryce Fillips, William Canion, Zachary Gomez and Brock LaPlant. (Photo by Suzette Cook/City of Gainesville)

Photo by Suzette Cook/City of Gainesville

Photo by Suzette Cook/City of Gainesville Cub Scout Brock LaPlant is suited up in GRU lineworker Alvin Moore’s gear which includes pole climbing braces, a hard hat, tools, and heavy rubber gloves used when handling wires.

Cub Scouts Pack 71 learned about power line safety and the equipment used by Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) lineworkers at their meeting in Gainesville on Oct. 12.

GRU Utility Safety and Training Facilitator Gary McKenzie and lineworker Alvin Moore showed the scouts how electricity can travel from a downed or active live wire to people, vehicles and even pets. Scouts had a chance to try on rubber gloves and other equipment.

Brandi Shatto, GRU residential efficiency coordinator, handed out home survey kits filled with items that help lower household energy use and lower utility bills.

The demonstration used live voltage and included safety tips that showed the cubs what happens when balloon lands on live wires and how people, vehicles and even pets can be harmed when coming into contact with downed or live wires.