Royal Bermuda Regiment recruits have taken a course in how to deal with downed power lines as part of their hurricane preparedness training.

Engineers from Belco, the electricity utility, have been at Warwick Camp instructing troops on how to identify power lines and cables and how to identify potential hazards.

The presentation also included advice on the hazards of overhead and underground power lines, injury prevention techniques and a demonstration of protective equipment.

The training, led by Kevin Masters, Belco’s manager of operational excellence, included a classroom presentation as well as a practical demonstration delivered by Belco overhead first responder Jason DeRoza.

Wayne Caines, the president of Belco, said: “We recognise the responsibility we have to Bermuda as a critical service, and we constantly strive to improve our disaster response capabilities.

“We are always willing and able to partner with Bermuda’s emergency services and first responders to ensure they are familiar with and can work safely around our electrical infrastructure.”

Belco staff also took part in a chainsaw authorisation training session with soldiers, which was held to increase the company’s disaster response capabilities in the areas of route clearance and vegetation reduction.

After completing the training, Belco staff were presented with Chainsaw Authorisation Certificates. Belco staff who completed the training were: Gabriell Cabral, Chad Brimmer, Stevon Trott, Jason DeSilva and Phillip Woods.

Mr Caines added: “On behalf of our team, I would like to thank the Royal Bermuda Regiment staff for their participation, as well as their expertise and partnership in training Belco staff to become chainsaw-authorised.”