About the Experts

David Ureno, Plant Manager III

Mike Skorcz, Director of EHS
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At National Grid Renewables, safety isn’t simply a priority — it’s a foundational value that shapes everything we do. Safety, in practice, is about more than just following protocols. It’s about preparing for the unexpected, building strong relationships, and ensuring the well-being of everyone involved, from our team to the surrounding community.
This focus on preparedness and collaboration is why we conduct our semi-annual emergency action drills across all the National Grid Renewables operating portfolio. These drills aren’t about going through the motions—they’re an essential part of our safety strategy, built around real-world applications.
“Overseeing drills and developing safety programs for all of the sites requires a tailored approach for each location. Every site is different, and these drills demystify the hazards for our local responders. They’re not just theoretical—they prepare us for real-life emergencies.”
– Mike Skorcz, Director of EHS at National Grid Renewables
Strengthening Emergency Preparedness
To be prepared in the event of an emergency, our emergency action drills use real-life scenarios to simulate the types of situations we hope never to face. These drills simulate incidents such as heat stroke, electrical shock, fires, tornadoes, or tower rescues, to ensure everyone—from site teams to first responders—is equipped to handle emergencies effectively.
Each site’s drills are tailored to its own unique challenges and follow a structured protocol.


At Prairie Wolf Solar, for example, we recently held an emergency action drill—now in its third consecutive year—with key partners such as the Ashmore, Kansas, and Oakland Fire Departments. The drill simulated a shock incident by staging a dummy behind a row of solar panels, emphasizing the site team’s immediate response and coordination with local first responders.
First, a team member signaled a “man down” call transmitted over radio to alert the team of an emergency. The plant manager then immediately notified 911, per our emergency response plan. Once local first responders were contacted, additional resources were dispatched to the area for rescue and support. Meanwhile, team members on-site, all certified in first aid and CPR, provided immediate assistance, ensuring a coordinated and effective response until EMS arrived.
“These safety drills are a great opportunity to meet the people who would be responding to an emergency, and to work together towards the best possible safety protocols.”
– David Ureno, Plant Manager III at National Grid Renewables
At our wind sites, all of our technicians complete the Working Heights and Rescue class, where they are trained to climb towers and work at heights safely. This comprehensive training also equips them to operate rescue devices, enabling them to perform self-rescue or assist in rescuing others using the equipment.
This training is put into practice at our required tower rescue drills, a complex scenario where technicians are required to lower a dummy from a wind turbine’s tower using specialized gear. This involves coordinating a team to rig safety lines correctly, operate rescue equipment, and safely lower the dummy to the ground where EMS would then take over.
Exercises like these provide invaluable benefits to our teams and local first responders, equipping them with knowledge about the layout of our site, identifying hazards, and understanding how to handle specific equipment during an emergency. While the core principles of safety and rescue stay consistent, each site’s drills are tailored to its unique conditions.
The location of a site, for example, plays a significant role in shaping these drills. Sites that are farther from main highways, fire departments, or hospitals, require different response strategies than those closer to local emergency services. Additionally, geography and climate can vary widely across sites–from snowy, cold areas, to hot, dry regions–which can impact both rescue logistics and team protocols. Even the type of equipment differs, as each wind turbine brand has unique features that influence how at-height rescues are conducted. By shaping drills to specific variables such as these, we ensure our teams are fully prepared to handle emergencies in any setting.
Continuous Improvement: A Key Component of Our Safety Strategy
Our partnership with local fire departments has led to continuous improvements in our safety protocols, year after year. After each drill, we provide a meal to all participants and conduct a thorough debrief to identify gaps and implement changes.
For instance, after our first annual drill at Prairie Wolf Solar, we recognized the need for better site navigation and subsequently installed exit signs at all intersections. By the second year, we established a helicopter landing zone next to the substation—a critical addition for a site over an hour from the nearest trauma center and that community members can use if needed.

This year, we took collaboration a step further by involving ARCH Air Medical’s pilots and helicopter crews in our drills. This allowed us to align our on-site protocols with the specific needs of air medical teams, ensuring a seamless handoff during emergencies.
“These sessions allow us to identify the best tools and strategies to mitigate any situation we’re called to.”
– Clay Brener, Ashmore Fire Department Chief
The first responders within the Ashmore, Kansas, and Oakland Fire Departments have shown extraordinary dedication, volunteering their time after work hours to participate in these essential safety drills.
To express our appreciation, we were able to donate $4,000 to the Ashmore Fire Department to help them upgrade their radio communication systems, improving their ability to coordinate responses and track their teams. This year, we’re proud to extend the same level of support to the Oakland Fire department, with another donation from our community giving fund to support their efforts in the community.
“These first responders give their whole day to work with us to make sure our safety procedures are of the highest standard possible – for us and the surrounding community. Giving back is just one way to show them how much we appreciate it.”
– David Ureno, Plant Manager III at National Grid Renewables
Leading the Way in Safety Protocols for Renewable Energy Projects
Our approach to safety goes beyond mitigating risk – it’s about building a safety culture that sets the standard for renewable energy projects. We’re proud to see that the protocols we’ve developed like those at Prairie Wolf Solar have become a model for other renewable energy sites in the region, with many looking to mirror the drills and safety measures we’ve implemented here.
As Clay, the Ashmore Fire Department Chief, aptly puts it, “If you prepare for the worst, you’ll be ready if the moment comes.” By continuously refining our practices and building partnerships with local responders, we’re not only protecting our teams but also contributing to a legacy of safety that extends far beyond our projects.