IBEW expertise covers just about every aspect of the electrical industry, and sharing some of that knowledge is one way members give back to their communities. For firefighters and other first responders in Illinois, it's the safety training from Chicago Local 134's Robert Hattier that they keep asking for.

"He's saved countless lives through all his training, and I have the firefighter testimonials to prove it," said Local 134 Business Manager Don Finn, who also represents the Fifth District on the International Executive Council. "We should sing it from the mountaintops."

Hattier, a Local 134 business representative and executive director of the Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund, has over 20 years of experience in the industry. He shares that knowledge — on topics including solar electricity, energy storage and electric vehicle technology — with firefighters and other first responders, as well as building inspectors and other officials.

Demand for the classes has only grown over the nearly 10 years he's been offering them, Hattier said, in part due to the increase in solar energy use spurred by Illinois' 2018 plan to have 25% of its energy come from renewable sources by 2025. That plan followed a law passed in 2016 with backing from the IBEW.

"The only way the energy transition will be successful is if all industry stakeholders are trained and prepared for the technologies being deployed on our houses, buildings, communities, fields and roadways," Hattier said. "I am honored to have the opportunity to do my part to make that happen."

The main focus of the training, which began as an hourlong class in 2015, is on hazard awareness and effective mitigation strategies. A first responder dealing with an emergency at a solar-powered building or home might encounter inhalation exposure, electrical shock and burns, a roof collapse, chemical spills from batteries or even battery reignition.

These fires can also take roughly 10,000 gallons of water to deal with, which not all trucks have.

"Firefighters and other first responders are the ones who have to interact with these systems when they are in their most hazardous states," Hattier said. "The inclusion of solar and battery storage systems in and on buildings complicates the fire response regardless of the cause of the fire."

The trainings now run about three to four hours — depending in part on how many questions Hattier gets — and also cover industry best practices and relevant codes.

"Responders should know as much as possible about what they're walking into," Hattier said. "The more information they have, the more they can make sure their teams are safe."

To date, Hattier has trained over 3,000 firefighters and first responders at more than 100 fire departments. He's also presented at several fire industry events.

And it's all through word of mouth. Fire departments operate in mutual aid networks, Hattier said, so when he trains one, colleagues in the network often reach out for training.

"It's the best sign that it's a good training," he said.

There are also the testimonials from attendees, like those who attended a recent training at Alton Local 649.

"It was fantastic. We had a parking lot full of fire trucks," Local 649 Assistant Business Manager Ryan Mouser said. "There's not enough of him to go around for what he does."

Mouser said they had about 70 firefighters and first responders attend over the three days the training was offered. It was so popular, in fact, that some attendees asked if they could come back for a second session.

"I had one fireman pull me aside and tell me that they go through a lot of training, and this was the most informative they've gotten," Mouser said. "He was incredibly thankful. This really shines a big, positive light on Brother Hattier, and on the IBEW."

There are other sources for similar training for first responders, but those tend to be online only, Hattier said.

"We have a conversation with them. We answer whatever questions they have. Sometimes they'll go off topic, ask about other energy concerns, and we'll address those too," he said.

An in-person training also opens a dialogue between the IBEW and the fire departments, Hattier noted.

"They know that this is what we do, that we're the experts," he said. "An additional benefit of this training is that fire departments will now reach out when they have any questions regarding electrical systems."

Hattier is working on a train-the-trainer class to allow more members and locals to offer their own training. In the meantime, he said, locals should feel free to follow his example.

"For anyone else who's interested in offering trainings like these, I'd say to start by reaching out to your local fire departments, find out what concerns they have and ask if they have responded to any events involving these technologies. Then invite them to your training centers," he said.

Just about everyone who's toured Baltimore Local 24's training facility walks away impressed. As with any IBEW local, it's a site for excellence. But not everyone in the community knows that — at least not yet.

"The average person has no idea that we operate in the backgrounds of their lives every single day," said Dave Springham, training coordinator for Local 24's JATC. "We want people to know that we offer a fantastic career choice for them, if this is the path they choose."

Local 24 used to be much more of an industrial local, Business Manager Mike McHale said. The work was "behind a fence," out of the view of anyone not employed there. But that's not the case anymore, and McHale, along with his team, are making their mark on jobsites and at community events, local government meetings and anywhere else they can.

"We're taking every opportunity we can to increase our exposure," said McHale, a 40-year member from south Baltimore. "I want everyone to know what 'IBEW' stands for."

Local 24 does a lot of work with area vocational schools, as well as those with more college-bound students, and its staff make sure to attend career fairs throughout the area. But McHale has also made a push to get into the rooms where decisions affecting the local are made, so now there's someone from the local on every workforce development board in the jurisdiction.

"There are a lot of opportunities there. The work of these boards coincides with and impacts our industry," Local 24 Business Agent Jon McLaughlin said. "It lets us be a part of the conversation."

Rico Albacarys, a Local 24 membership development representative, got the workforce board he sits on to expand a program that offers financial assistance to college-bound students to include those entering the trades. He also pushed for higher standards on a program to offer course credit to students for doing certain types of work, ensuring that the students get valuable career experience and aren't just being used as cheap labor.

"They talk about apprenticeships, but rarely has anyone on the board actually been in one," Albacarys said. "A lot of money is allotted through these boards. It should go to programs that actually lead to a career."

Local 24's influence extends to the statehouse. Sen. Cory McCray is the local's vice president and a business development representative. He's one of less than 2% of the General Assembly with a blue-collar background and the only member who has completed a registered apprenticeship.

"I occupy a unique space that allows me to bridge the gap between the needs of working families and the legislative process," said McCray, who's serving in his second term. "I have both the opportunity and the responsibility to advocate effectively for apprenticeships and working-family issues."

One significant accomplishment of McCray's has been mandating that state-funded projects meeting a certain financial threshold are required to hire apprentices. He's also pushed for grant programs and tax credits for employers that hire apprentices from areas in Baltimore and across the state with a poverty concentration of at least 20%.

In addition to his legislative victories, the Baltimore native partners with area organizations to organize trade and apprenticeship tours for high school juniors and seniors. Over the last five years, McCray and his partners have brought more than 500 students to various apprenticeship programs, providing them with real-life examples and the opportunity to see people who look like them thriving in the trades.

"Cory is a good example for a lot of reasons of what a person can do," McHale said. "He never forgets where he came from."

The students McCray brings to Local 24 are just one example of the busloads of people who tour the local and training facility. Civic leaders come visit on a regular basis. The overwhelming response, Springham said, is surprise.

"Most people don't realize how comprehensive the training is, how impactful it is to people's lives," Albacarys said.

Visitors are also surprised that Local 24, like IBEW apprenticeships across the country, requires no public funding to operate.

"They see the investment we make in ourselves and our future and that we ask nothing in return but to stay and work as an IBEW member," Springham said.

One of the goals of Local 24 is to recruit more women. As part of this effort, it recently hosted a camp for girls run by the National Association of Women in Construction. And in each of the past four years, the local has broken its record for the number of women starting their apprenticeship.

"It's still not enough, but it shows that the word is getting out to applicants — and their parents — that this is a great training and employment opportunity for young women," he said.

In addition to NAWIC, Local 24 has strong relationships with area community colleges and organizations like SkillsUSA, a workforce development organization for students, and ELECTRI International, which was established by NECA to promote educational and consulting programs.

"Now we have teachers sending students to us instead of the nonunion side," McHale said.

Whether it's students, women, citizens returning from incarceration or anyone else from their jurisdiction, Local 24 is leaving no stone unturned and building up its brand as the premier place to go for the best electrical training and a ticket to the middle class.

"We want everyone in our communities to know our organization is here and that they can be a part of it," Springham said. "Age, gender, race, education level, checkered background, none of that matters. If you're ready for a career, to get your hands dirty and give your contractor eight hours' work for eight hours' pay, we want you to be a part of the JATC and Local 24."