Emotional event important for ongoing training for staff

According to Barry Electric, safety isn’t just a policy — it’s a promise the cooperative makes every day. 

Recently, that promise was put to the test during a mock mayday training exercise designed to challenge employees to respond to a simulated workplace emergency. The realistic drill placed crews in a high-pressure scenario, requiring them to rely on their training, communication skills and rescue procedures just as they would during an actual emergency. 

While employees understand the importance of safety training, a Barry Electric press release said, seeing a rescue scenario unfold in real time served as a powerful reminder of why those preparations matter. 

“I had the privilege of videoing the exercise up close, and to be honest, it was emotional,” said Kiley Stringer, public relations and marketing coordinator. “Even though everyone knew it was a drill, it felt very real. Watching your coworkers respond to a simulated emergency makes you think about the people behind the hard hats. 

“These aren’t just employees. They’re our friends, neighbors, parents, spouses, and family members. It really hit home how quickly lives can change and why every bit of training matters. I found myself fighting back tears several times because the reality of what could happen felt so heavy in that moment.”  

The drill brought together multiple Barry Electric departments as well as community emergency response partners, providing an opportunity to evaluate communication, coordination, and decision-making during a realistic emergency scenario. 

“This training helped instill confidence in our employees that they know what to do in an emergency,” said Jennifer McBroom, CEO. “To me, that was the difference today. It’s one thing to sit through a class and listen to what you should do, but it’s another to be tossed into as real a scenario as we can create. 

“That’s a huge difference and why today mattered. It gives us confidence knowing our co-workers can respond well in an emergency when needed, and I think that makes us a better team.”  

More than anything, the training reinforced the safety culture and cooperative spirit that defines Barry Electric, the release said. 

“Looking out for one another is at the heart of what we do,” it said. “Whether responding to outages, serving members, or preparing for emergencies, our employees understand that safety is a shared responsibility.”

Barry Electric extended its appreciation to Matt Benzen, of Mercy Hospital, whose coordination and support helped make the exercise possible, as well as Mercy Hospital and the Mercy Life Line flight crew, the South Barry County Ambulance District, and the Barry County E-911 Center for their partnership and participation in this important training exercise. 

“Their support helped create a realistic learning opportunity and demonstrated the strong relationships that help keep our communities safe,” the release said.