N.J. Dispatchers Shocked by Lightning Strikes

June 25, 2015
The Salem County public safety telecommunicators said they experienced confusion, headaches and tingling.

Three separate lightning strikes at the Salem County Department of Emergency Services facility in Mannington Township left five public safety telecommunicators suffering from electrical shocks. 

Two reported that they were shocked by one strike, then one during another strike and then the other two during a third strike. They were taking 911 calls as a massive storm swept through the region.

Each said they experienced confusion, headaches and tingling sensations, Salem County Undersheriff John Cuzzupe told NJ.com.

The three males and two female were ordered to The Memorial Hospital of Salem County for evaluation.

"That's a great credit to their service," said. "They wanted to continue to work."

Other staff filled in as the 911 took close to 250 calls in less than three hours. 

An investigation to determine why they were shocked, Cuzzupe said.

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