Vehicles Contacting Utility Poles: Imminent Danger

If a vehicle has contacted a utility pole and occupants must exit the vehicle due to fire or imminent danger, do NOT attempt to enter or contact the vehicle. Instead, instruct occupants on the jump-and-hop technique.

Explain and demonstrate these steps to occupants from a safe distance:

• Do NOT step out of the vehicle.
• Do NOT touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
• Jump clear of the vehicle.
• Shuffle away with small movements, keeping your feet close together and on the ground at all times.
• Continue hopping to a safe distance away. A safe distance is at least 35 feet from distribution lines or at least 100 feet from transmission lines. Remember, all safety clearances given here are minimums. Always use the maximum possible distance.

If occupants are injured, disabled, or otherwise unable to safely exit the vehicle, your incident commander will tell you how to proceed.