Alabama Power conducts virtual dam safety training exercise

Safety First is Alabama Power’s No.1 value. This principle guides employees to make every decision, every day, in the right way. Workgroups throughout the company regularly hold training exercises on a variety of topics to enhance the safety of employees and communities.

Alabama Power’s Hydro Services team recently held a training exercise simulating what would happen in the event of an emergency at a company-operated facility.

The exercise, held virtually due to the pandemic, allowed the hydro team members to coordinate with state and local emergency management organizations and others, similar to a real emergency.

“Hopefully we never have to implement our emergency action plan, but preparedness is key,” said Seth Green, Alabama Power Hydro Services engineer. “Reviewing the plan regularly with our stakeholders allows us to reinforce the importance of preparedness and gives our stakeholders a chance to provide feedback.”

Green said the routine coordination and collaboration helps Alabama Power maintain a “more robust and more effective emergency action plan” for hydro.

The National Weather Service, the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission took part, along with county and state emergency management agencies (EMAs). The exercise included representatives from key organizations in Alabama Power, including External Affairs, Security, Supply Chain Management and the Alabama Control Center.

“These exercises are the way we validate our plans and response actions,” said Pam Cook, infrastructure support branch director, Alabama EMA. “During the exercises, we get the opportunity to strengthen our relationships, which is so important to any response situation.”

Alabama Power Community Relations Manager Danielle Kimbrough said the exercise was helpful and informative.

“It was great to see how we collaborate with our internal teams as well as external partners,” Kimbrough said. “Understanding each partner’s role in the emergency action plan is crucial to a successful response.”

Southern Company Dam Safety and Surveillance Supervisor Richard Mickwee agreed.

“Hydro always appreciates the support and cooperation we receive from all of our partners that are involved in the emergency action plan communications,” Mickwee said.