T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Ben Messenger, energy adviser for South Central Power Co., and Tony Fowler, lineman for South Central, prepare for a demonstration on electrical safety at Belmont County Safety Day Friday at Belmont College.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Township, village, city and county employees and officials received updated training and safety protocols during the annual Belmont County Safety Day on Friday at Belmont College.

Around 50 people from a number of areas throughout the county attended the free event, sponsored by WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, Belmont County Township Association, Cumberland Trail Fire Department, Belmont College and the Belmont County Health Department. This was the third year for Safety Day.

Cara Gazdik, a registered nurse at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and coordinator for Safety Day, said they host a variety of demonstrations and sessions throughout the day to provide safety education to those working in the community. The seminar was broken up into a variety of sessions with speakers educating attendees on team building, stroke awareness, stopping the bleed, and electrical safety. Afterward, stations were set up to provide training on CPR, AED, Narcan administration, rope and rigging, fire extinguishing and on trench rescue and safety.

Gazdik said the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and other agencies require education on certain topics that are provided by hospital staff at the event.

“We want to provide them with safety education so that what they do on a daily basis they will have enhanced safety knowledge,” she said.

Jeff Gazdik, EMS coordinator at the hospital and trustee for Colerain Township, said the education and training is important, as many of the employees involved can encounter these types of situations when working in the field.

“These people are out there in the community working every day. It’s important for these guys to know how to use fire extinguishers — our guys had to put out a car fire last week — AED, CPR, and how to administer Narcan. This just gives them a refresher and to learn how and when to use those techniques in case they encounter a situation,” he said.

“A lot of these guys are out there working in the community plowing snow, driving these roads and come across medical emergencies or fires. This just better prepares them.”

Vendors were also set up to provide additional safety information. One of those vendors, Voto Sales of Steubenville, had numerous items on display to show attendees the difference between old and new chains and other equipment.

“We just want to let all the townships know that we’re a good resource for rigging, digging and hose products, and since it’s Safety Day we wanted to bring examples of new product and old product that should no longer be used and show the different ways to tell the difference. That way everyone stays safe,” Matt Miller, sales manager for Voto Sales, said. “This stuff gets misused and people can get hurt or worse.”

Event attendee Chad Zambori, a firefighter with Cumberland Trail Fire District, said the training day provides continuing education.

“It’s an opportunity for us to come out and get some education through Wheeling Hospital,” he said.

Roger Devore, another attendee and foreman for Richland Township, said safety is an important aspect when it comes to working out in the community.

“Not only for our crews but you have to watch what other people are doing to keep everyone safe. … You can never get enough safety experience,” he said.

Attendees were also provided flu shots, courtesy of the Belmont County Health Department, during the lunch portion of the event.

This was the third year for the annual Safety Day. It was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.