Key Takeaways: 

• Charlie Leibold and Ryan Good from Enova Power Corp won the 2026 Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) Powerline Safety Award. 

• Enova’s powerline technicians addressed a critical safety gap and developed an interactive electrical awareness training program specifically for first responders.  

• Training has been making a measurable difference, with no electrical contacts reported since the three practicing emergency response agencies have received Enova’s training.

Charlie Leibold and Ryan Good, powerline technicians at Enova Power Corp. (Enova Power), have been named recipients of the 2026 Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) Powerline Safety Award for developing First Responders Electrical Awareness Training.

The ESA Powerline Safety Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to improving electrical safety in Ontario by preventing electrical injuries and fatalities from powerline contacts.

Improving safety for first responders

Charlie and Ryan identified a critical gap in electrical safety among first responders and dedicated their time to developing an interactive, highly applicable training program for emergency response situations. By referencing the Electrical Safety Handbook for Emergency Responders, they created a program that highlights real-world scenarios for both overhead and underground high-voltage electrical hazards.

The program is now mandatory for approximately 400 Region of Waterloo paramedics, and since its introduction, there have been no reported electrical contacts involving personnel from the three emergency response agencies that have participated: Waterloo Regional Police Service, Waterloo Fire Rescue, and Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services.

“We’re incredibly proud of Charlie and Ryan,” says Dorothy Moryc, Chief Distribution Officer at Enova Power. “Safety and well-being above all is one of our core values, and seeing our team take initiative to respond to a potential safety gap is a testament to their integrity and commitment.”

“Charlie and Ryan’s leadership strengthens trust with community partners, advances Enova Power’s public safety commitment, and creates lasting impact through better hazard recognition, safer behaviours, and improved risk assessment during unpredictable electrical incidents,” says Dave Smart, Distribution Superintendent at Enova Power.

The recognition from the ESA highlights the importance of collaboration between utilities and first response agencies to ensure safer communities and reduce risks associated with electrical incidents.