City emphasizes training for employees, community 

As 2026 has gotten off to a start, the city of Mount Vernon has made two rounds of training available to its workers and other members of the community.

On January 14, 87 attendees, including 20 members of the Mount Vernon Fire Department, received important safety information at The Energy Coop Arc Demo Safety Class, a comprehensive and hands-on electrical training event focused on hazards associated with overhead and underground electrical lines, at the Mount Vernon Fire Department.

A day earlier, on Jan. 13, 37 people listened as Susan Willeke, Training and Communications Manager for the Ohio Ethics Commission, shared several ethics anecdotes from around Ohio and the nation, and detailed laws that promote impartiality and honesty in government, at the new Mount Vernon Municipal Center at 236 S. Main St.

The Energy Coop training was designed for first responders, public works personnel and safety- conscious professionals whose jobs place them in proximity to electrical infrastructure. Live demonstrations illustrated conductivity hazards using everyday objects, along with eye-opening arc flash simulations and step potential explanations that emphasized the dangers of improper actions around electrical sources.

The training reinforced that electrical hazards extend well beyond just utility workers. Through education, realistic demonstrations and interagency collaboration, the event strengthened regional partnerships and reinforced life-saving safety principles that attendees can apply in emergency responses and daily operations.

“Our goal is to make sure every employee who serves the city of Mount Vernon has the knowledge, confidence and support they need to do their work effectively and with integrity,” said city of Mount Vernon Human Resources Director Elizabeth Turner. “When we invest in training like this we’re really investing in our people, and that investment shows up in the way they serve our residents every day.”

Attending groups included the Knox County Commissioners, Knox County Emergency Management Agency, Mount Vernon Police Department, and multiple city departments, including Human Resources, Mayor’s Office, Public Works, Parks, Cemetery, Streets and Buildings/Land. Additional attendees represented the Monroe Township Fire Department, Village of Gambier, Knox County Highway Department, Pleasant Township, Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District, Jefferson Township, Northstar Communications Inc., Kenyon College and Ariel Corporation.

Susan Willeke’s lively presentation about integrity and transparency in government was also designed for people who work in the public sector, but her updates on recent developments in advisory opinions and tips for avoiding common pitfalls and staying on the right side of the law were of interest to anyone curious about how government is supposed to properly function.

“We want our employees’ best efforts, their best work. That’s a responsibility they take on when they come to work for the city of Mount Vernon,” said Mayor Matthew Starr. “At the same time, it’s incumbent upon the city to offer the tools to accomplish that, which includes consistent, up-to-date training on the multitude of disciplines they encounter. I’m continually impressed by how our employees embrace this training.”