Mother of Shaler soldier electrocuted in Iraq praises Pa. company’s new device

By Robin Acton
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, November 23, 2009

A Pennsylvania company today will debut a product designed to prevent accidental electrocutions among military personnel living in mobile units while serving abroad.

Fidelity Technologies Corporation will present the electrical circuit protector system to Department of Defense officials during a ceremony and tour at the company’s manufacturing plant in Reading.

Fourteen electrocutions have occurred since 2003, including one involving a Green Beret from Pennsylvania, said Democratic Rep. Tim Holden of Schuylkill County.

“As a result, the Army engaged in conversations to take advantage of the expertise here at Fidelity to do something about it. I’d like to commend the Pentagon for taking action,” he said.

Holden will attend the ceremony at Fidelity’s manufacturing plant, located in his 17th Congressional District.

The problem of electrocutions among military personnel serving in Iraq gained national media attention with the death of Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, of Shaler. Maseth died Jan. 2, 2008, when an improperly grounded rooftop pump installed by defense contractor KBR sent an electrical current along water flowing through metal pipes into his shower in the Radwaniyah Palace Complex near Baghdad.

Since then, the government has ramped up electrical inspections in Iraq and Afghanistan, and thousands of electrical problems have been repaired, the Defense Department reported.

Although she’s unclear about whether the new device could have helped to prevent her son’s death, Maseth’s mother, Cheryl Harris, said she is “extremely happy” that the Defense Department is taking steps to protect troops.

“Anything that prevents electrical shocks and keeps troops safe is a positive thing,” said Harris, who has a wrongful death lawsuit pending against KBR in federal court.

According to a release announcing the product, the device to be displayed today will be the ceremonial first unit of thousands to be manufactured over five years under a contract with the Army that could be worth as much as $124 million.

The product description indicates the system would make it possible for soldiers to safely use standard appliances — such as electric razors and cell phone chargers — while they are stationed in mobile units.

The circuit protector system will save money, according to the company. It is expected to save 275,000 gallons of fuel each year, because troops would need to transport fewer generators into battle zones. (click HERE for original article)

I’d heard about this device and blogged about it back in May ’09. I have to say I’m skeptical! I find it hard to believe there is a single “device” that is going to protect soldiers from electrical shock on a scale as huge as Iraq and Afghanistan. There are currently devices on the market that can perform that function, if that were the case, such as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter protected (GFCI) receptacles (plug-ins) and breakers.

But if the installation is shoddy and not to any code and devices are not installed properly how is one single device going to fix that? How is one device going to protect against SCW’s who are building and installing electrical equipment who have no concept of a quality installation, code requirements, listed parts and equipment or safety hazards.

I also know the majority of deaths and were not from using cell phone chargers, electric razors or other small low current appliances.

I love new electrical technology and hope this device in the “end all be all” for electrical installations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  But I am positive it CAN NOT replace the quality installation of quality parts and equipment by quality licensed electricians. A little quality oversight would hurt either

In my heart I hope this works. But, I am concerned this device may foster an atmosphere of cutting safety corners and disregarding well established installation standards and codes.

Electricity seeks the path of least resistance. It always has and it always will. It’s a law of nature and the DoD can’t change that by throwing millions at it.

Ms Sparky