Rescue Rodeo at Plant Watson puts safety and teamwork front and center

GULFPORT Miss (WXXV) –Mississippi Power is putting safety front and center in a powerful way.

At Mississippi Power’s Plant Watson, safety is more than a protocol—it’s a mindset.

That commitment was on full display as 16 emergency response teams from across the Southern Company system gathered for the annual Rescue Rodeo, a high-impact training event designed to prepare teams for real-life emergencies.

The event brought together volunteer first responders from plants across Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. These teams, made up of everyday employees who take on additional emergency response responsibilities, respond to an average of 40 emergency calls per year. The Rescue Rodeo provides them with an invaluable opportunity to sharpen skills, practice high-pressure rescues, and learn from one another.

“What’s going on this week is that we are conducting our rescue rodeo,” said Conrad Amos, Plant Watson Manager. “We bring all our emergency response teams from all over our system… and we put ’em through all different types of scenarios so that they would be able to respond should we have an actual emergency in the plant.”

The scenarios are realistic—and intentionally intense. Teams rotated through challenges including scaffold collapses, confined space extractions, mass casualty simulations, and high-angle rope rescues. Live actors, makeup artists, and mechanical dummies added authenticity, making each situation feel real.

“It looks real. It feels real. So we practice like as if it is a real life,” said Phillip Barrett, Operations Specialist at Plant Watson and a 10-year Rescue Rodeo participant. “You can read books all day, but until you actually get the most realistic scenario you can… it means the world to us as rescue team members.”

Each task tested technical skill, decision-making, and most importantly—teamwork.

“The biggest thing there is teamwork,” Barrett emphasized. “Some people are stronger in other fields than others… it’s really all about coming together as a team and completing a scenario.”

Despite the high-stakes nature of the exercises, safety remained the priority. Organizers balanced realism with precaution, ensuring no participants were pushed to injury.

“We want to make it as realistic as possible… but of course it’s a training activity, so we want to make sure we don’t push anybody too hard,” Amos said.

The Rescue Rodeo is more than just drills—it’s a chance for employees to connect, learn from different teams across the company, and share best practices. For new rescue team members, it’s an immersive introduction to the role. For seasoned responders, it’s a chance to mentor and keep refining their skills.