POWERGRAMS

SAFETY Electricity can be deadly. That truth was brought home to Jeff Roy 24 years ago when a 19-year-old neighbor lost his life by grabbing a downed power line. With that tragedy embedded in his memory, Roy takes every opportunity to spread the message: Stay away from power lines. That's why he didn't hesitate when asked last year to join Alabama Power volunteers presenting Safe-T-Zone, the company's high-voltage safety program. The program, presented by Risk Services in partnership with Power Delivery and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, targets firefighters, police, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and other first responders who work around electricity in emergency situations. A team of presenters recreates scenarios using a distribution system charged with 14,400 volts and mounted on a flatbed trailer. "I've got a lot of friends who are firefighters and first responders," said Roy, lead cable splicer, Montgomery Crew Headquarters. "I don't want them or anyone else to get hurt because they don't know what to do when poles or lines are on the ground." Four new Safe-T-Zone trailers equipped with power poles, lines and transformers have been added for 2015. The trailers, including two used since the program debuted in 2011, are assigned to each of the company's six divisions, allowing employees to make more presentations. In the past few months, the team of presenters has grown to 106 trained employees. "Most of the presenters are local operations linemen, lead linemen, crew foremen and other Power Delivery employees who have experience in working with electricity," said Kim Savage, Risk Services program manager, Western Division Office. "They are selected to present the program because of their knowledge and their passion for safety. These crew members are committed to our message because they have seen the unsafe practices of many first responders around electricity." This year, Safe-T-Zone will become an integral part of training at the Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa. Alabama Power employees will present the program during the college's Explorer Week for professional and volunteer firefighters. "We are hoping to present the program to volunteer firefighters in every county," Savage said, adding that many volunteer firefighters receive little electrical training before being dispatched to their first fire. "We want to make sure they know how to keep themselves as well as everyone around them safe. If the first responder gets injured, who will take care of the victims?" The program has been well-received, Savage said. In the past three years, volunteers have given 109 presentations to 3,826 first responders statewide. "I'm proud to work for a company that has taken this step to do what it can to help keep the public safe," said Phillip Hopkins, lead lineman, Gadsden Garage/ Crew Headquarters. "As a lineman, I've seen volunteer firefighters cut trees off power lines before we even got to the site, thinking that they are helping us and saving us time. It makes you realize the general public, including first responders, have no clue about the dangers that can exist around electricity." Alabama Power is redoubling its efforts to promote Safe-T-Opolis, the public safety program targeting fourth-graders statewide. The program video has been revised to feature employees and their children demonstrating best safety practices. Students attending Safe-T-Opolis receive a drawstring backpack, while flash drives are given to the teachers. Risk Services is asking local business office managers to reach out to area teachers to request the program for their classes. "We have found when that personal touch comes from the local level, it's more effective in getting results because our office managers have already established relationships with the teachers and principals in their community," Savage said. Safe-T-Zone and Safe-T-Opolis are both eye-opening programs that truly bring the message home, Hopkins said. Roy and Hopkins are committed to presenting Safe-T-Zone to as many first responders as possible in 2015. "I want to present every program I'm asked to do. It's something I believe in and feel is important," Roy said. "By spreading the message across the state, it's like taking Target Zero to a higher level." By Carla Davis Safe-T-Zone trailers in all divisions to aid first responders across state 2 More than 100 employees are trained to present safety program to the public. 2014 was another impressive year for Alabama Power and its employees. Read some of the highlights on pages 3-6. ON THE COVER: Photo by Wynter Byrd

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