This page provides important electrical safety information for the emergency services:
Contact with live electrical equipment is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. Electrocution can arise either from direct contact or due to step voltage. Always assume that all overhead electricity wires, stations or other electrical equipment is live until it has been confirmed by ESB Networks that the power has been switched off and it is safe.
This video highlights the hazards associated with electricity and what precautions to take when dealing with electricity.