Video on Master Electrician teaching at a California Prison

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vergeront

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Location
Riverside CA
If anyone is interested in what really goes on in a prison check out this web site: IBEWHOURPOWER.com to see what Laura Vergeront (Master Electrician) is teaching at the California Rehabiliation Center in Norco California.
It is a short video of 5 min so it shouldn't bore your.
Enjoy and think if I can get at least one of these inmates turned into a tax paying citizen I have done my job.
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

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Location
Chapel Hill, NC
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Retired Electrical Contractor
Hey Laura thanks for the inspiration, the world needs more people like you.. I have thought for years that it would be a great help if we got into the high schools and help those who are not going to be tracked to the universities. Try and help those before they end up in the prisons-- I cold never get it together enough to do it--- maybe someday.
 
charlie

charlie

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Location
Indianapolis
Fantastic

Fantastic

Awesome Laura! I don't know of another person who is doing what you are, either merit or union, good work! :)!
 
raider1

raider1

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Logan, Utah
A truly inspirational video.

Laura, I can tell you have a passion for the trade and a love of teaching it to others.

Keep up the good work!

Chris
 
zappy

zappy

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Location
CA.
My father did 5 yrs.and he came out with his contractors license i believe.And he's never been back,he's in the union,married and very religous.
 
TwinCitySparky

TwinCitySparky

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Minnesota
OK - Thread killer here again. :cool:

I also think what Laura is doing is commendable. We should try to do what we can to help transform these people.

Having said that... There have been many threads about how todays "deserving kids" coming out of school automatically look down apon all the trades. The electricians job (so many years ago) used to be seen as an honorable position for an honest, educated smart technically advanced person. I generally try not to associate with too many ex-cons in life for several reasons if I can help it. I dont know why they are trying to throw us in that "perceived" barrel of fish. Why not teach them all about lawn care or plumbing? Better yet - politics and law. They are much more "naturally gifted" for this line of work. :rolleyes:

Trying to gain back the respect we once had long ago may be a waste of time, but this general type of story is being slowly repeated around the country. For cryin out loud, I came here from the security industry. The 1000's of systems I built are still catching criminals. Now I can look forward to potentially working with more and more of them. (Yes, the other guy in our company is an ex-con). It all struck me again the other day when, after helping my 10 year old son with a building project, he turned to me and said Dad, dont let anyone tell you you're just an electrician...

Sad. Very sad.
 
V

vergeront

Member
Location
Riverside CA
Laura Vergeront/Retired Master Electrician

Laura Vergeront/Retired Master Electrician

Wow...I didn't so many electricians got onto Mike Holt's Forum.
Thanks for the support in seeing what I do at the prison does make a difference
your fellow electrician
Laura Vergeront
Riverside California
the video link is: IBEWHourPower.Com
"Out of the Box"
"Teaching at Norco Prison"
still looking for the AFCI receptacle
anyone know if it is out on the market yet?
 
J

jeremysterling

Senior Member
Location
Austin, TX
TwinCitySparky said:
For cryin out loud, I came here from the security industry. The 1000's of systems I built are still catching criminals. Now I can look forward to potentially working with more and more of them. (Yes, the other guy in our company is an ex-con).
Click to expand...

You are right. As our tax dollars are used to build more prisons, there will be a demand for more prisoners to be institutionalized. These prisoners will be your co-workers, your brothers, you and me.

I have accepted that what I do is considered by most to be a menial trade. I love my job. When I work at a middle or high school, I feel the kids regard me as one step above janitor. Excluding ex-cons from the trade will not change this.
 
Rockyd

Rockyd

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Location
Nevada
Occupation
Retired after 40 years as an electrician.
So what would you rather have, a person who rehabilitates himself in prison (elevates himself to craftsman status) and goes forth after his prison sentence and performs well within the community. Perhaps you can't see the opportunity to change those who have potential to change, but lacked the correct tools to do so prior to prison.

Before you think I go soft on crime, consider I'm pro-death penalty for those convicted beyond a shadow of a doubt, and some should never see the light of day. Then there are those that will return to society - without a clue as to how to do something beyond a criminal enterprise are looking at returning to prison because they have no clue as to what to do. That someone has the courage, and compassion to make a difference in intiating change for those that are willing, my hat is off to them.

I have family that spent a little time at the big house. He trained himself, while incarcerated, and is a model citizen today. Took him time in jail to dry out long enough to re-evaluate his life, and do something besides being stuck in a rut to no-where.

Give a man a fish he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.
 
G

gndrod

Senior Member
Location
Ca and Wa
Afci

Afci

vergeront said:
still looking for the AFCI receptacle
anyone know if it is out on the market yet?
Click to expand...

Hi Laura,

Your work and personal giving is commendable. As far as an AFCI receptacle, none are available so far and most likely won't happen unless a new technology to read upstream circuitry is developed to make it viable. A receptacle type would be only partially effective as it will not cover the upstream segment of the circuit from the distribution panel. So far this is the reason why only the breaker type Combination AFCI exists. Just curious if any resi training courses are being given. rbj
 
charlie

charlie

Senior Member
Location
Indianapolis
vergeront said:
. . . still looking for the AFCI receptacle anyone know if it is out on the market yet?
Click to expand...
Not yet but that may change in the next 1? years. P&S has a listed AFCI receptacle but declined to market it since it required a steel armored cable or metallic raceway to the first receptacle outlet. However, a new proposal was accepted in the panel meeting (the balloting is not finished yet) to permit Type NM cable to the first receptacle outlet and the AFCI could then be installed. Not only P&S but other receptacle manufacturers will start producing AFCI receptacles if this makes it through the code making process. :)
 
iwire

iwire

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Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
That makes little sense to me, to me that just further proves the AFCI is intended to make money not increase safety.

I thought much of the substantiation for the need of AFCIs in the first place where problems with the premises wiring system. Now if we can run NM to an AFCI receptacle that kind of tells me either the substantiation was false or was just a ploy.
 
don_resqcapt19

don_resqcapt19

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Location
Illinois
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retired electrician
Bob,
I agree with your comment, many of the substantiations for the AFCIs cited information that said 40% of the fires originated in the fixed wiring of the building. I really don't believe that is a correct number, but it was used to "prove" the need for AFCI protection of the branch circuit.
 
G

gndrod

Senior Member
Location
Ca and Wa
AFCI Agenda

AFCI Agenda

I agree with Bob and Don on the safety also. Why any EC would spend the extra cost of an armored cable from the distribution panel is beyond a residential economical reality. Even if the installation was a retrofit in a remod, the armored cable installation would require opening up the wall for access. An unprotected NM cable defeats the original safety purpose.

Additionally, the first outlet would require a metal box and would not guarantee that the connection ahead of the device would have perfect workmanship. A loose wirenut would practically defeat the armored NM cable safety function under certain conditions. (Loose wire connections are a common occurrence to intermittent glow or open circuits especially in residential wiring.) CMP members representing manufacturers definitely have agendas in code mandates.
 
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