SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Emergency responders are encouraged to attend one of nine upcoming sessions of a lifesaving training class titled, “Power Lines – The Do’s and Don’ts of Survival.”

The class is be presented by Western Nebraska Community College in partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, The City of Gering Electrical Department, Chimney Rock Public Power, Roosevelt Public Power, Regional West Medical Center, The State of Nebraska, and Valley Ambulance Services, Inc.

The class is offered at no cost to area EMS providers, fire department, law enforcement, roads department, and communications staff and related emergency responder personnel. Attendees will earn 1.5 hours of EMS Continuing Education Units.

Eric Anderson, a paramedic student who was injured last November in a power line incident while responding to automobile accident, encourages all area responders to attend the training to avoid becoming a statistic while working around power lines.

“Power Lines – The Do’s and Don’ts of Survival” will be offered at the Gering Fire Hall at three different times on February 8, 9 and 10. Class times will are: 10:30 a.m. to noon, 1:30 to 3 p.m., and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Class space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, call Western Nebraska Community College, 308-635-6700.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.