Brent R. Brown
Greensburg Daily News
Greensburg — The quarterly Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce Safety Council meeting took place Wednesday afternoon at Decatur County REMC and welcomed a special guest speaker.
Chuck Tiemann, a former lineman for Kay Electric Cooperative in Blackwell, Okla., lost his left arm and his right leg due to injuries resulting from contact with a power line in 1981. Since that time, he has dedicated much of his life to helping prevent similar tragedies from affecting others.
During a short presentation attended by approximately 20 health and safety representatives from various county businesses, Tiemann talked of his experiences, his recovery from his life-threatening injuries, his wife’s encouragement through the long ordeal and his bout with alcoholism. Tiemann also offered several intriguing facts about electricity, noting that “the average person” holds a variety of misconceptions about its dangers.
In an animated and oftentimes emotional presentation, Tiemann elaborated on the injury that forever changed his life.
After an extended period of excessive work in 1981, Tiemann and his colleagues reported to a work site in order to upgrade part of a residential electrical system. After climbing a 35-foot electric pole, Tiemann touched an active power line with his left hand and was subsequently electrocuted with 7200 volts. In his own words, Tiemann compared the incident to one being “cooked like something in a microwave, inside-out.”
The accident left Tiemann near death. He says he owes his existence today to his fellow workers who performed emergency live-saving techniques on him, the medical treatment he received afterward and “the grace of God.” After six weeks in the hospital, doctors informed Tiemann his badly burned left arm and right leg would both have to be amputated. He currently wears a convincing prosthesis for each.
Today, Chuck Tiemann is an advocate for all manner of safety in every line of work, and preaches the mantra “go home the same way you went to work.” He credits his wife’s indominatable spirit as one of the keys to his successful recovery and now spends his days counseling fellow amputees and educating others about the importance of follwing every safety rule, every time.
Throughout the course of the presentation, Tiemann explored the misconceptions many in the public hold toward electrical currents. He pointed out that a vast majority of people believe voltage in their house is 122/40. He went on to state that a high percentage of the general public believes all power lines are insulated, and also that a fallen power line is “dead” and of no danger. All of these beliefs, according to Tiemann, are false.
Tiemann continued by noting some more dangers presently contributing to electrocutions in rural areas. Among these are the increase in size of certain types of farm equipment, and the presence of trees growing through power lines. Tiemann recounted a true story about a seven-year-old girl who had climbed a tree and grasped a power line, resulting in the child being electrocuted and badly burned for 45 minutes before power to the line was cut. By that time, the child had long-since died after suffering horrific burns. The graphic tale brought several in the audience to tears.
Tiemann also mentioned the need for a quick means of action in the event of threatening weather conditions near sporting events. He noted the inherent dangers of athletes in helmets and other gear continuing play during a lightning storm, and stated that “common sense” is necessary in such situations.
“No game is worth a kid’s life,” he said.
Tiemann closed his presentation by stating he considers life “precious” and a “gift” and implored each attendee to value his or her own impact and special place in the lives of others.
For more information about Chuck Tiemann and his story, or to contact him about his electrical safety presentations, call Tammie J. Spurlock, Manager of Corporate Relations for Decatur County REMC, at (812) 663-3391.
