When veteran linemen retire from the utility industry, they often take wisdom and valuable experience with them. For the last year, however, Detroit Edison has pulled these retirees back into the trade through the NUITF to serve as instructors for First Aid, CPR, pole-top rescue and bucket truck rescue, and to assist with apprentice training.

Through a partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers' (IBEW) National Utility Industry Training Fund (NUITF), Detroit Edison is able to benefit from the knowledge of its veteran retirees while educating its workforce. At the same time, the retirees have the satisfaction of bringing their knowledge back into the trade.

Two years ago, DTE Energy joined forces with the IBEW NUITF to provide training to its apprentices and journeymen linemen. The NUITF is currently partnering with four utilities nationwide, including DTE Energy, Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), Alabama Power and Tucson Electric Power.

In January 2010, the utility began using retirees as instructors. These retirees all work for the NUITF, but they all worked for DTE Energy before retiring from their jobs as linemen.

Training the Trainers

Before they could begin teaching classes at Detroit Edison, the retirees first had to attend training from Coyne First Aid for First Aid and CPR. The vendor often travels to different locations to teach the instructors how to effectively deliver the information about First Aid and CPR in a classroom environment through hands-on exercises as well as printed practice materials.

Mark Mitchell, a retired lineman for Detroit Edison, is one of the seven retirees certified in First Aid and CPR from Coyne First Aid. He and the other retirees attended a two-day training session for eight hours a day. During the “Train the Trainer” session, they learned how to present the information to the class as instructors.

While some of the retirees are comfortable talking in front of a large group, Mitchell said he is more skilled at offering demonstrations during the training sessions. As a 40-year veteran in the utility industry, he also enjoys sharing some of his experiences and teaching the apprentices and journeymen how to prevent accidents from happening. When working for 30 years for DTE Energy and another 10 years for a contractor, he and his coworkers experienced slips, falls, splinters and eye injuries. By sharing these stories with the students, he's able to bring a real-world perspective to the classroom.

Along with sharing his experiences with the linemen, he also has the opportunity to see his former coworkers once again. For example, one of his co-instructors, Pat Fogarty, served in the U.S. Army as a combat medic during the Vietnam War. Fogarty worked for Detroit Edison for 41 years and has been teaching First Aid for 40 years, and Mitchell said it has been great having his expertise on the team.

The group of seven linemen all had worked together at one point or another during their careers with Detroit Edison, and they were happy to be a part of the utility industry following their retirement.

“It has been a great experience,” Mitchell said. “It's good to have all the guys come in that we haven't seen since we retired.”

Rolling with the Changes

The Coyne First Aid training program has been officially accepted for more than 20 years and keeping instructors up to date on any changes in CPR and First Aid is very important.

From year to year, the CPR training protocols can change. For example, there has been a shift in the ratio between breaths and compressions. Mitchell, who retired last year, said he took the CPR class every year that he worked for Detroit Edison. Even in the last year, however, he noticed a change in the number of compression ratios. The training method now recommends 30 compressions to two breaths, and in the past, the linemen were encouraged to practice 15 compressions for every two breaths.

Hands-on CPR Training

By becoming trained in CPR every year, the linemen are able to perfect their technique as well as their timing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that a certain number of employees be trained in CPR because of the dangers associated with the job. Line workers face a higher possibility of injuries because they are working with electricity, but they also need to be able to respond if one of their coworkers has a stroke or heart attack while out in the field. By training the linemen and underground splicers in First Aid, the utility workforce is able to respond to whatever emergency exists.

In the first quarter of each year, linemen and splicers receive OSHA required training, and First Aid and CPR are both a big part of the sessions. To simulate the compressions, the linemen and underground splicers practice on Ambu Man mannequins from Coyne First Aid. So far, the field professionals have responded well to this new training program, because Coyne's materials are geared toward the power industry, and the linemen can relate to it more than a general curriculum.

“I think that most of the linemen like the Ambu Man a lot better because it's more realistic, and it's easier to use,” said Mitchell, who enjoys teaching the linemen how to do compressions on the mannequin.

Detroit Edison has a 30-acre training center in Westland Michigan. At the training center, the utility has classrooms as well as an outside area with poles and equipment for training. Within these classrooms, the retirees teach the field workers the fundamentals of CPR, including how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Over the last 10 years, the AED has been part of the training curriculum for DTE Energy. While the field professionals don't have the devices in their trucks, they are installed in the building in different locations. During the training session, the participants learn about any new technology or regulations governing the usage of the AED for emergency purposes.

They also have the opportunity to actually practice using the AED on one of the Ambu Man mannequins. The participants hook the AED up to the Ambu Man, and then they simulate giving him a shock to the heart.

At the end of the CPR class, the participants also have to pass a written test as well as a practical exercise. During the hands-on portion of the test, they need to demonstrate the correct compression-to-breath ratio and use an AED on the Ambu Man.

Preparing for Emergencies

In addition, the field workers also learn First Aid. DTE Energy requires all of its field professionals to take a First Aid class every three years.

During the First Aid class, the linemen and splicers learn how to survey the scene and make sure they don't become victims when they are trying to help someone else. In addition, they learn how to assess the injury, take appropriate action and notify emergency personnel. During the hands-on portion of the class, they learn how to apply bandaging and make splints. They also learn any other skills that are necessary to handle an injury in the field or at home.

Most importantly, however, they learn not to move a victim unless absolutely necessary. Over the years, it's been found that a rescuer can do more harm than good by changing the victim's position. For example, if the victim has a head or back injury, a field professional can worsen the problem by moving that victim. For that reason, the retirees stress the importance of handling the victims with care during the First Aid course.

By capitalizing on the knowledge and experience of the veteran linemen, Detroit Edison is able to train its field workforce on CPR and First Aid. In addition, these former linemen are able to give back to the industry, connect with old friends, and help to ensure a safer and more productive workforce both now and in the future.

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Max Agge (aggem@dteenergy.com) is the Detroit-area training coordinator for the National Utility Industry Training Fund and a journeyman lineman for DTE Energy in Detroit, Michigan. He has been with the company for 30 years.

Companies mentioned:

Coyne First Aid www.coynefirstaid.com

Detroit Edison www.dteenergy.com

National Utility Industry Training Fund www.nuitf.org