Harlan, insurers support Safe City

HMU CEO Tom Gaffigan issued this statement in connection with the donation: "We believe the Safe City real life training environment expands the expertise of our employees and continues our commitment to working safely. We wholeheartedly support the Safe City concept and look forward to its construction and use. We applaud IAMU for spearheading its construction."

HMU Board Trustee Al Burchett offered, "One of the many goals HMU has had over the years is to provide adequate training and education to HMU employees. This contribution will go far regarding the ability for HMU folks to get hands on education and training. The facility that is being funded will offer real world gas emergency and electric emergency response training. In order for HMU to be on a leading edge, HMU’s Board is continuing to budget funds for employee advancement and education. We want to thank the rate payers for their continued support in this effort."

Safe City will simulate real life utility construction, installations, repair, emergency response and safety training, through a collection of miniature safety structures on IAMU’s Safety & Training Field. Only a few such facilities can currently be found in the United States – and unlike most of those, which cater only to the gas utility industry, IAMU’s Safe City will be designed to benefit electric, water and gas utility members, and possibly other utility types in the future. This will offer a truly "world class" training experience for IAMU members.

Safe City will take the form of six to eight small buildings, representing a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood. It would provide a realistic setting, with operative electric, gas, and water infrastructure throughout the area.

One of the most anticipated features of Safe City is a plan to build a confined space and vault entry training area. To be located in a separate area of the field, the confined space training vault will be above ground, making entries safe, but still realistic. Construction on the training field is expected to start in early 2007. IAMU extends its thanks to HMU for its support of Safe City. To learn more about Safe City, see the IAMU website www.iamu.org To learn about donation and gift recognition, please contact Dave Hraha, IAMU Program Manager, at 800/810-4268 or dhraha@iamu.org

Jester, EMC team up for Safe City

Jester Insurance Services and EMC Insurance Companies have continued their tradition of support of IAMU by making a joint $6,000 contribution to IAMU’s Safe City project.

Bob Jester of Jester Insurance Services, and Jim Fontanini of EMC Insurance Companies presented a check Jester commented, "The Safe City project is a wonderful training opportunity. It could save many of our city employees’ and contractors’ lives." IAMU extends its thanks for the support of Jester Insurance Services and EMC Insurance Companies.