A critical security breach at a power substation on Christmas morning. It’s a nightmare scenario, but one that utilities must be prepared for. In this episode of the Utility Security Podcast, we explore the vital, yet often overlooked, steps required to forge an unbreakable link between utility security and local law enforcement. Discover why a simple 911 call is a ”massive failure in preparation” and how to proactively equip police with the context and logistical details they need for a rapid and effective response. Dive deep into the strategies that can drastically reduce police response times, as highlighted in a real-world case study from the Pacific Northwest where coordination slashed response from 12 to just 5 minutes. Learn about the importance of sharing threat intelligence, prioritizing critical sites, and using innovative tech like What3words for pinpoint location accuracy. For a more in-depth look at this topic, check out our companion article: Substation Intrusion: Are You Ready to Respond? Key Takeaways Proactive communication is key: Don’t wait for an emergency to establish a relationship with local law enforcement. Regularly share intelligence, detail the potential community impact of an outage, and jointly develop response plans. Response time dictates physical security: The time it takes for police to arrive directly informs the level of physical hardening required for a substation. A longer response time necessitates stronger fences, gates, and locks. Scripting 911 calls is crucial: Vague language can lead to a low-priority dispatch. Use pre-agreed, scripted phrases that clearly communicate the severity of the situation to ensure an immediate, high-priority response. Technology can save precious minutes: Tools like What3words for precise location mapping and secure, real-time video feeds can provide law enforcement with invaluable situational awareness during an incident. Joint training is non-negotiable: Conduct regular walkthroughs and scenario-based drills with police to test communication protocols and identify weaknesses in the response plan before a real incident occurs. #UtilitySecurity #CriticalInfrastructure #GridSecurity #PhysicalSecurity #SubstationSecurity #EmergencyResponse