Aurora, ComEd test safety procedures

Aurora firefighters teamed with ComEd crews Thursday to practice drills related to power outages and larger electrical emergencies.

The drill simulated a fire at the ComEd substation near the corner of Frontenac Street and Ogden Avenue and a simulation of an explosion of an oil pipeline that runs under the high tension wires in the area.

Utility and city fire officials said the practice session was part of ComEd's annual spring drills to prepare for large outages and emergencies ahead of the summer storm season.

"It was a very useful drill for all of us and we learned a lot about the area. Personally, I didn't know that pipeline ran so close to the overhead wires," Battalion Chief Steve Malatia said. "So we learned a lot about the area and met the ComEd officials we would be working with, should a real emergency occur."

ComEd officials said the goal is to test response procedures, improve safety and enhance electrical restoration times for customers.

The joint drill with the Aurora Fire Department represented the first time the two organizations partnered on a live emergency response drill.