Howard Electric Cooperative conducted a mock pole-top rescue training exercise Thursday in coordination with Howard County emergency services, the City of Fayette, and electric cooperatives from across Missouri.

More than 120 people attended the event, including representatives from more than 15 electric cooperatives statewide.

“This is the type of situation we train for and pray we never have to face,” said Amber Sulltrop, general manager and CEO of Howard Electric Cooperative. “It was a great example of our community and Missouri’s electric cooperatives working together to ensure we’re prepared to respond quickly and safely if an emergency ever occurs.”

The primary exercise was held at the Howard County Road & Bridge facility, south of Fayette near the intersection of Highways 240 and 124. Howard Electric lineman Spencer Duren scaled a pole and rescued a training dummy. Firemen then performed CPR until Howard County Ambulance crews arrived for further life-saving support. Finally, a helicopter from University Hospital in Columbia touched down on the on-site helipad and loaded the “patient.”

Training sessions included a landing zone drill led by Russell Flick of MU-1 Air Evac, step potential safety training by Dan Ulhorn of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, and a live line demonstration presented by Keith Mueller, education specialist for Howard Electric and Central Electric Power Cooperative.

Participants then moved to Station 1 for lunch and further discussions.

The training involved realistic simulations involving multiple emergency agencies in Howard County, including the Howard County Fire Protection District, Ambulance District, 911 Dispatch, Sheriff’s Department, Road & Bridge Department, Emergency Management Services, and the City of Fayette Police Department, Public Works, and linemen.