Kelly Rae, Public Affairs, 509-372-5376 Mike Paoli, Public Affairs, 509-713-4950
RICHLAND, Wash. – Energy Northwest’s CEO and members of the Hanford Fire Department recognized a team of Energy Northwest employees August 26 for their quick thinking and actions that saved a coworker’s life.
Employees acted quickly to come to the aid of a fellow employee who experienced a personal medical emergency on the evening of Memorial Day. The team initiated an emergency call and performed first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, followed by use of an automatic electronic defibrillator. Hanford Fire paramedics responded and took the alert and responsive employee to the hospital.
CEO Brad Sawatzke previously presented the team of employees with agency lifesaving awards. Today Hanford Fire representatives presented the team with letters of recognition commending their efforts.
"The work you all did was amazing," Sawatzke said. "We have a teammate who is alive and with his family because of you. I'm impressed with how we look out for each other. There's no greater example of teamwork than this.”
Hanford Fire Chief Norb Kuhman told a packed room of EN employees that it is unique for paramedics to respond to a cardiac arrest situation and be greeted by an alert patient.
“I really want to thank you for your efforts, because it made a difference,” Kuhman said.
The EN employees that received the lifesaving awards and letters are Tom Amedio, Matt Calverase, Mark Jerrow, Mark More, Jennifer Oltjenbruns, Ryan Rumley, Vincent Samuels, Joe Schroeder, James Sleiman, Justin Soma, Kyle Steiling and Aaron Thai.
Energy Northwest owns and operates a diverse mix of 100 percent clean electricity generating resources: hydro, solar and wind projects, and the third-largest provider of electricity in Washington – the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power facility. These projects provide carbon-free electricity at the cost of generation – enough clean, cost-effective and reliable energy to power more than a million homes each year. As an independent joint action agency of Washington state, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million customers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs.