image description — National Grid demonstrates the dangers of live wires for local fire departments on Monday evening.

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National Grid Demonstrates Dangers of Live Wires

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:35AM / Wednesday, August 27, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Matt Lane, a supervisor with National Grid, explains the wiring systems firefighters might see when responding to an emergency.

LENOX. Mass. — National Grid employees demonstrated the dangers of live wires on a hot dog during a safety awareness event on Monday.

When the processed meat (representing human flesh) came into contact with approximately 8,000 volts, it ignited and charred. The main message was to assume downed power lines are live, leave them alone, and report them to the utility company or 911 immediately.

"I think the biggest thing is just to teach awareness, get everybody to gain a little respect for the electricity, and to understand enough to know that they don't know whether something is live until we tell them, or something is dead, until it's verified by us," Matt Lane, senior supervisor of operations, explained.

First responders from Lenox, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge saw several test items ignite on the Live Line demonstration trailer: a fake squirrel, ladder, fire boot, and hot dog. These power lines mimic the ones on our streets.

The event was held at the Lenox Department of Public Works. Fire Chief Robert Casucci said his volunteer Fire Department is comprised of people of various ages and from all walks of life, and this information benefits new and longtime firefighters.

"Some people are familiar with the equipment, some people aren't," he said.

"We get everybody out here for this training with this prop and can see the effects of power in different ways, whether it's malfunctioning or just a power line that is down."

The department has about 35 volunteers, many of whom were in attendance.

Lane explained that the power going through the lines on the trailer are the same for most of the lines on the streets, adding, "For a single phase, voltage is just 7,970 volts, and for three phases, 13,800 [volts], and the vast majority of our lines are that."

Crew leader Justin Elovirta and first class line worker Spencer Criscione led the demonstration while wearing rubber sleeves and gloves that are tested every three months for 17,000 volts.

Last month, a Delaware County, N.Y., firefighter was electrocuted at the scene of an accident when a low-hanging wire came in contact with the firetruck.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023, there are 150 workplace fatalities on average a year and 5.6 percent of all workplace fatalities are caused by contact with electricity. Nearly half are caused by overhead power line contact.

"It's good information. People have got to realize, don't consider lines dead until the power company tells you it's dead," said William Markham of the Stockbridge Fire Department.

"They're the ones. Don't assume."

Tags: electricity, firefighters, first responders, National Grid,

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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