September 2025

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

SEPTEMBER 2025 | VOL. 75 NO. 9 | www.westflorida.coop WFEC Celebrates Safety Milestone West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) employees recently achieved a safety milestone that is something to celebrate two years without a lost-time accident.

“Our industry requires a wide range of skills and professionals to operate safely and efficiently. When we think of maintaining a strong safety record, the first thing that comes to mind is the danger of working on or near energized power lines. This isn’t just a 40-hour-aweek job, it often demands long hours and overtime to keep the lights on,” said Donnie Worley, Director, Safety and Loss Control.

Everything at WFEC centers around the safety of its employees and members.

No matter the role a person has at the co-op, they play a role in safety. For instance, the radio dispatchers are instrumental in helping keep linemen safe. They ensure switching and tagging procedures are done and they keep accurate records. Dispatchers also organize and orchestrate power restoration efforts behind the scenes, making sure they know everyone’s location and where they are working. This helps ensure linemen stay safe by preventing overlapping job assignments and reducing the risk of accidental contact with energized lines or equipment. continued on page 2

I nside Page 2: WFEC Celebrates Safety Milestone (continued) Page 3: Preparation Helps WFEC and Members Weather Storms Page 4: Report and Track Power Outages with a Tap

ROW U pdate WFEC Right-of-Way Crews will be cutting & trimming in the following area(s) during

September: Westville & Alford

When ROW crews are trimming in your area, there may be several days between ROW cutting & clean-up crews due to inclement weather, equipment failure or other unforeseen circumstances.

Safety personnel, Terrell Culbreth (front left) and Donnie Worley (front right) recently conducted safety training for local first responders. This is just one of the ways WFEC educates its members about the importance of electrical safety.

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Many other employees help achieve the co-op’s goal of keeping everyone safe. There are mechanics, warehouse workers, substation meter technicians, the employees of the engineering department, and other office personnel who support the co-op’s mission.

The co-op’s publications, social media, and website are great resources for the public and our members to learn more about electrical safety.

Did you know that slips, trips, and falls are the leading causes of workers’ compensation claims? These often happen to office workers. When any type of accident occurs, workers’ comp premiums can increase and the expense modifier goes up. This modifier is based on the number of accidents and the cost it takes to get an employee as close to full Major Medical Improvement as possible and back to work.

When there are no accidents, the costs go down. This is a win for everyone, including our members.

“Our goal is to have no accidents. We strive every day to minimize these dangers by investing time and attention to safety measures and careful work practices,” said Worley.

“In addition to safety training for employees, West Florida Electric Cooperative is continuously raising awareness about electrical safety in the communities it serves by performing demonstrations at local schools, for emergency response teams and at community events,” said Worley. “There, we show members just how easy it is for an accident to occur when working with electricity and how to prevent these dangerous and sometimes deadly mishaps.”

Take advantage of “shoulder months,” which refer to transitional periods between peak heating & cooling seasons.

During the fall, these milder weeks typically occur between Sept. and Nov. Shoulder months offer great opportunities to reduce energy consumption.

Look for simple ways to boost indoor comfort without running heating or cooling systems.

Use ceiling fans and open windows on breezy days to ventilate your home. On cooler days, add a layer of clothing.

Get the Most Out of Your Heat Pump When the temperature climbs, so can your electric bill. With a few smart habits and upgrades, you can stay cool and keep more money in your pocket.

1. Use your thermostat wisely: Set your thermostat to 78 degrees or the highest comfortable setting during hotter months. Raising the temperature by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day can lower your annual cooling costs by up to 10%. Use fans to help circulate cool air and avoid cranking your thermostat down too low.

2. Keep your system running smoothly: Change air filters monthly during peak use.

This can help improve your home’s air quality. Clearing obstructions away like leaves and debris from around your outdoor units to ensure good air flow is also important.

Good air flow keeps your system running efficiently and avoids overworking it.

3. Schedule regular tune-ups: A yearly HVAC checkup helps prevent costly breakdowns and keeps your system performing efficiently. You should also have your duct work inspected every year. Leaky ducts can reduce efficiency by as much as 20%.

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Energy Efficiency Tip

4. Install a programmable thermostat: Programmable or smart thermostats automatically adjust temperatures when you’re asleep, at work or on a vacation.

Set it and forget it for effortless efficiency. You will be able to override preset programming, if needed, but remember you will use more energy and pay more if you consistently override the preprogrammed settings. If your programmable thermostat uses batteries, don’t forget to change them each year.

5. Consider an upgrade: If your system is over 10 years old or needs frequent repairs, replacing it with a high-efficiency heat pump can cut energy use by up to 50%. Heat pumps move heat rather than generate it, which makes them far more efficient. Plus, they help dehumidify your home - a big bonus during muggy months.

With a few smart habits, you can boost efficiency and get the most out of your energy dollars (and your HVAC unit).

Small changes can equal savings.

Preparation Helps WFEC and Members Weather Storms When storms hit, our crews are ready to go day or night. They work year-round to maintain the co-op’s distribution system and respond quickly once it’s safe, restoring your electricity as quickly but safely as possible.

You can be ready for severe weather, too. Keep an emergency kit on hand with essentials like: • bottled water • nonperishable food • flashlights and batteries • battery-powered NOAA weather radio • medications & toiletries • blankets, pillows & comfort items • baby and pet supplies • cash Having these items on hand helps you stay safe and comfortable during outages. You can also make sure your devices are fully charged ahead of storms.

Worried about severe weather?

Let s Talk.

Wind and rain, tornado to hurricane, we are prepared for severe weather. We harden our system to help prevent outages.

We keep vegetation trimmed to minimize debris. And we train – all year – to respond as quickly and safely as possible when a storm strikes. Rest assured, we’re ready.

Your co-op keeps critical materials like poles, wire, and transformers in stock to speed up repairs. That way we have what we need to make repairs readily at hand when needs arise.

Preventative maintenance like trimming right-of-ways and replacing poles and equipment during routine maintenance is another key component that helps us prevent outages before they occur. Our crews and contractors work year-round to trim vegetation along power lines. Still, nature can cause significant damage that takes time to repair. Fallen trees are the main cause of most storm-related power outages. During all of our work, safety always comes first. Our crews are highly trained, and if extra help is needed, crews from other co-ops are ready to assist us.

WFEC offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 1 for Labor Day.

R ecipe of the M onth Smash Cake

Submitted by: Rita Mansfield

Find this recipe and more: www.westflorida.coop/recipes 3 • Current Light Flashes • September 2025

Move Over: It’s the Law Safety behind the wheel includes slowing down & moving over when you see crews working along the roadside. You’ll help ensure crews return home safely & continue to be there when you need them.

Report and Track Power Outages with a Tap West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is committed to providing safe, reliable, power to our members around the clock. But outages are inevitable and when they do happen, we want it to be easy for you to report them and stay informed.

Text Power Our Text Power service is a fast and easy way to report any outage. The first time you utilize this service, text WFEC to 800-342-7400. You’ll receive a welcome message with instructions about how to report future outages. After following the prompts, text OUT to 800-342-7400 to report future outages. To receive updates, text STATUS; text HELP for more information or STOP to unsubscribe from the service. Once power is restored, a text confirming outage restoration will be sent to you. Note: Your mobile number must be on file and linked to your account to use this service. Only one mobile number per account is permitted. If it is not listed on your account, you will be encouraged to call to report your outage instead.

WFEC Board of Trustees

DAVID TATUM

TIM ALFORD

District 1/Treasurer

District 2/President

Mobile App You can also use our mobile app to report outages. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store. The app is available for both IOS and Android users.

Once you download it, you will need your account number to set it up and create a password. You can use the app to: • report outages • view our online outage map • track the restoration process using the map

JACKIE POOSER

JOHN ADAMS

Call Do you prefer calling? Dial 844-688-2431 (844.OUTAGE1) to report outages via phone. Make sure the correct and most up-to-date phone number is on file with us and that we have the correct address on file. It helps us locate your account faster and restore your power sooner.

District 5/Vice President

DAVID CORBIN

GEORGE C. OWENS

RANDY BUSH

MISTY ERICKSON

Stay connected to us 24/7 and track outages anytime using our online outage map located at westflorida.coop/outages. You can also access the map using our member portal or mobile app. The cooperative also utilizes its Facebook page to post updates regarding large-scale outages that may occur. Facebook is primarily used when outages impact 500 or more members or if an outage is expected to last for an extended period of time.

At WFEC, keeping you informed and getting your power restored as safely and quickly as possible is our top priority. Whether you choose to text, use our mobile app, call, or check our online resources, we’ve made it simple and convenient to stay connected.

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District 3

District 7

MYRON HUDSON

District 9/Secretary

District 4

District 6

District 8

NATHAN BERRY

Executive VP & CEO