POWERGRAMS

Company's largest fire drill model of employee readiness In 2014, 494,000 structure fires – one every 64 seconds – were reported in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Those fires led to $9.8 billion in property damage, 3,275 deaths and 15,775 injuries. To ensure employees are prepared in case a fire starts on company property, Alabama Power holds drills at all its multistory facilities. On Sept. 30, 2,250 Corporate Headquarters employees and tenants proved they are ready as they quickly and safely filed out of the building and headed to nearby Kelly Ingram Park as part of that facility's annual fire evacuation drill. "I'm so proud of our team who planned and executed the drill as well as our employees and tenants who participated," said Corporate Operations Manager Stephanie Smith. "Everyone took the drill seriously. They exited the building in a safe manner and no injuries or health issues were reported." To prevent a backlog on the stairs, employees and tenants were alerted to exit the building in five phases, with the first intercom message sounding on the lower floors at 9:30 a.m. Smith said during a drill, only the PA messages are broadcast. Fire alarms and strobe lights are not activated unless there is an actual emergency. The official evacuation time was 22 minutes and 30 seconds, according to the Birmingham fire inspector. Along with Alabama Power and Southern Company employees, other tenants took part, including Balch & Bingham, Aramark, APCO Employee Credit Union, Current Cuts, the Connection, Electric Perk and Total Shoe Care. The Birmingham Fire Department evaluated the drill and emergency medical technicians were available. Birmingham police coordinated traffic as employees safely crossed 17th Avenue to the park. "We've been very impressed with Alabama Power's focus on safety," said Capt. Tyrone Fornest, public education officer of Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. "Your drill is one of the largest, if not the largest, in the city. By far, your company is tops among other corporations in the city for fire preparedness. We use Alabama Power as a model because we see great things happening as far as safety is concerned." Corporate Facilities Coordinator Danny McDaniel said planning and implementing the drill is a "huge endeavor," which, this year, involved 92 employees from General Services, Corporate Security, Safety and Health, Disability Management and Public Relations. McDaniel said the team meets to review assignments, and begins checking equipment and evaluating building safety about six weeks before the drill. "General Services Facility control operators test the PA system to make sure we can communicate with employees on every floor," said McDaniel. "We also check to make sure nothing is stored in the stairwells and halls, and look for other possible hazards such as loose stair treads, handrails or doorknobs." Smith said employees verified proper exit signage was in place and looked for unusually high or uneven thresholds that could become a tripping hazard. Loose dirt and acorns from nearby trees were cleared from the route leading to the park. One of the final steps was to send employees an email notice to prevent anyone from being alarmed by thinking there was an actual fire. Michael Starks, Corporate Security shift team leader, said employees were posted at all Corporate Headquarters and deck entrances and exits to make sure no one entered during the drill. Other security team members were dispatched to the park to keep employees safe. Although it's important to be prepared, the risk of fire in high- rise buildings – those with more than seven floors – is lower because they are equipped with fire protection systems, according to the NFPA. In high-rise buildings like Corporate Headquarters, flames and associated damages are usually confined to the room where a blaze begins. "We would rarely need to evacuate the whole building," said McDaniel. "If the system senses a fire, we only evacuate the floor where the smoke is detected and the floor above and below it." The Corporate Headquarters drill was a precursor to National Fire Prevention Month, which is every October. The fire safety emphasis was launched the first week, with the theme "Hear the Beep Where you Sleep" to remind citizens of the importance of having working smoke alarms in all bedrooms and regularly replacing batteries. By Carla Davis TARGET ZERO 7 Employees await all-clear signal before returning from Kelly Ingram Park. More than 2,250 employees safely exited and returned to Corporate Headquarters. Photos by Billy Brown

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