IMPA launched its Safety Program in 2022 at the request of its members who showed an interest in facilitating a workplace safety culture through education. The Safety Program is a voluntary service which offers monthly training sessions at member locations through the Agency’s operations and engineering subsidiary, IMPA Service Corp. The program has blossomed in its fourth year, serving more member communities than ever before and seeing continued growth with additional interest.
“Like most of our services, the Safety Program was put together at the request of our members. Several utilities let us know that a program like this would be beneficial for them,” said Sam Messenger, IMPA Member Services Specialist and coordinator of the program. “By listening to our members’ needs, we’ve been able to bring several communities together and build a resource that keeps utility workers safer and better prepared for real-world challenges.”
The Safety Program follows a pre-determined list of safety topics for the year, bringing a knowledgeable and experienced instructor directly to member communities to provide the training in-house. Sessions planned throughout this year have included instruction on tree trimming, bloodborne pathogens, bucket truck and pole top and rescue, and much more. The Safety Program is customizable to interested communities, allowing members to sign up for as many or as few classes as desired, depending on their needs. As with many IMPA programs, utilities are able to share in the costs of the sessions, as the price per member drops depending on the number of communities participating in individual sessions. Communities hosting these training sessions include Anderson, Crawfordsville, Greenfield, Richmond, and Tell City. Sessions have also been held at IMPA Service Corp’s facilities in Advance and Spiceland.
Some participating IMPA members attend training sessions with other nearby communities, allowing for further cost reduction and networking opportunities among utilities.
“IMPA’s general safety sessions have complemented our team’s specialty safety training throughout the year. It allows the new hires to receive a more rounded safety knowledge that is needed,” said Josh Hawkins, Jamestown Superintendent of Utilities. The Jamestown crew collaborates with Lebanon Utilities, traveling to Lebanon’s facilities to engage in the Safety Program. “By partnering with Lebanon, we’re able to save costs and make sure our guys have the tools they need to stay safe.”
A strong safety culture is a top priority for IMPA and its municipal utilities, where risks can be high, and mistakes can result in life changing consequences. The Agency and its members wouldn’t exist without the talented staff that keep these utilities running, and their ability to go home to their families after the workday without harm is of paramount importance.
Not only are these safety sessions benefiting member utilities and their staff, but some participating communities have also collaborated with other local departments to benefit from the trainings as well. Last year, Greenfield Utilities invited the city’s Parks Department, Street Department, and IT Department to learn about Pole Top and Bucket Rescue. Similarly, Pendleton’s utility invited the town’s Police Department to their safety meeting on the same topic. In 2025, the City of Lebanon and its Parks Department began participating in the program. These partnerships strengthen the knowledge base and camaraderie of communities–components of a robust safety culture.
“Our crew gets a lot out of the safety training,” said Pendleton Electric Superintendent Craig Switzer. “It’s nice that we’ve been able to help other departments in the community outside of the utility, too. It helps build some relationships in the community and builds a skill that we all need.”
The Safety Program is a prime example of IMPA and IMPA Service Corp’s service offerings that go beyond power supply. IMPA remains prepared to respond to the diverse and expanding needs of its member communities through these program developments.