Aerial Equipment Contact: Imminent Danger

If your aerial equipment comes into contact with a power line and there is fire or other imminent danger, use the jump and shuffle technique:

• Do not step out of the vehicle and do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Because of touch potential, you could become electricity’s path to ground and get fatally shocked if you touch both.
• Jump clear of the vehicle, landing with your feet together.
• Shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet close together and on the ground at all times. Do not run or take large steps. Because of step potential, you could be fatally shocked if your legs bridge two areas of differing voltage.
• Continue shuffling to a safe distance away: at least 100 feet from the power line and any objects that may be energized. Remember, all safety clearances given on this website are minimums. Always use the maximum possible clearance distance.