POWERGRAMS

When a California substation was attacked last year, concern was expressed from coast to coast, prompting calls for action from elected officials, governmental bodies and utility leaders to help safeguard the electric industry. One answer is "GridWatch," the new campaign to more closely involve every employee in keeping all company facilities safe. Workers are now more than ever being asked to watch for and report unusual circumstances at Alabama Power substations, along transmission lines and power poles, outside generating plants and around business offices. "We're asking every employee to become an extra set of eyes and ears for our Security department," said Chairman, President and CEO Mark Crosswhite. "Our 6,900 employees across the state can be a huge advantage against people who would do harm to us or our facilities." While employees in the past may have paid little attention when passing a crew headquarters or driving by power lines strung through a forest, the GridWatch concept encourages workers to be on the lookout at all locations and any hour of the day or night. If something seems unusual, such as a broken office window, or a person appears to be out of place, perhaps wearing camouflage and loitering near a substation fence, it makes sense for an employee to sound the alarm. Alabama Power employees are encouraged to take note of crucial information and continue on to a safe place, where they may dial the exclusive reporting number 1-844-257-1525 (or 10*1525 for SouthernLINC users). Employees should not confront any suspicious person or take any action that would jeopardize their own safety. "Members of the Brotherhood often work in areas that are more vulnerable to attacks or criminal mischief," said Casey Shelton, manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers System Council U-19. "I would encourage everyone to join GridWatch. It is an easy way to make our jobs safer and continue our goal of being our brothers' and sisters' keepers." After meeting with key electric industry and government officials in February, members of the U.S. Senate wrote the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) asking whether "additional minimum standards regarding physical security at critical substations and other essential facilities are needed." NERC President and CEO Gerry Cauley wrote Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid and others that, rather than creating costly new regulations for the electric industry, NERC members believe increased training and education can improve security and safeguard electric facilities. NERC encouraged utilities nationwide to undertake new programs to make the electric system safer from attack. GridWatch is among the first corporate efforts targeting vandalism and deliberate damage through increased surveillance by employees outside normal security settings. "We want to provide detailed instructions for our employees to understand the importance of their role in identifying and reporting suspicious activity at company facilities," said Security Director Randy Mayfield. "GridWatch guidelines describe the process for determining the difference between emergency and non-emergency situations and the necessary steps to report suspicious activity to the appropriate authority. They're also intended to ensure a thorough investigative and reporting process of the information received." Mayfield said employees should be observant in recognizing suspicious actions, behaviors and circumstances involving company property and assets. Law enforcement professionals are quick in responding to emergency calls but they are not trained in recognizing or understanding electrical distribution infrastructure and systems. "No one is better trained or equipped to identify and report potential suspicious behavior or situations occurring on company property than our own dedicated employees," said Mayfield. "One important thing I want employees to remember is that they should never take any action or allow themselves to become involved in circumstances that might jeopardize their personal safety." Suspicious activity is typically something different, out of place or that generates a sense of curiosity because it just doesn't seem to fit, Mayfield said. The significance and intensity may vary depending on the employee's knowledge or previous experience. Employees should immediately report suspicious behavior to Security by calling 1-844-257-1525 or with LINC radio *10-1525. It is important to save the GridWatch numbers in phones to quickly access and provide: 1. The exact location by address, name and description. 2. The facts and circumstances observed. 3. The suspicious person's complete description. 4. The vehicle description by make, model, color, year, damage or unique descriptors like "loud" or "rusty." 5. Caller's name, work location and cellphone or LINC number. "Remember, there is no security without you. Alabama Power employees are encouraged to report emergencies to local law enforcement and suspicious situations to Corporate Security," Mayfield said. "GridWatch will make all of us safer, but please be reminded our employees should never attempt to investigate suspicious situations by confronting a person or group of people or by approaching occupied suspicious vehicles." The Gridwatch video is available on Powerlines and on LearningSOurce under GridWatch or course code 0215450. By Chuck Chandler GridWatch success depends upon employee vigilance companywide TARGET ZERO 5 Employees should watch for unusual activities, but never jeopardize their own safety.

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