High winds, tornadoes, ice and other weather events can play havoc on trees and your electrical system. It is not unusual for branches to cause power outages, and Illinois electric cooperatives plan ahead by doing line clearance to help prevent the loss of power due to trees.
Each year, the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives safety and training department holds a line clearance forestry school to teach the proper safety procedures for clearing trees, branches and brush around power lines.
Sixty-two electric cooperative line clearance personnel from 16 Illinois and five out-of-state co-ops participated in the annual line clearance forestry school at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park in Whittington May 13-17.
The school was designed to accommodate both experienced and inexperienced personnel who wish to become more proficient in the field of line clearance – right of way management. Attendees learned about chainsaw safety, climbing, rigging, cutting and felling techniques, storm damage and working around the electrical distribution system.
