From left: CEO Bob Schuetz, Danee Pisarchuk, Occupational Health; Energy Northwest retiree Bob Powell; and John Hagfeldt, Reactor & Major Maintenance, pose for a photo July 12. Pisarchuk, Hagfeldt and Steve Short (not pictured), Reactor & Major Maintenance, received the CEO Lifesaving Award in honor of their effort to help Powell during a medical event this spring.
On April 26, Energy Northwest team members Steve Short, John Hagfeldt and Bob Powell were working hard setting up a work trailer for Columbia Generating Station’s refueling outage.
Hagfeldt had just got off a phone call when he heard Powell mumbling in a slurred manner near him. He turned toward his co-worker, and saw him sitting, eyes closed, with one side of his body drooping. Powell is an Energy Northwest retiree who was working as a contractor during the outage.
“I immediately called out for Steve, and I think he knew from my tone that something was wrong,” Hagfeldt said. While Short provided aid to ensure that Powell didn’t fall from his chair, Hagfeldt called the control room for emergency response.
His next call was to Powell’s son, Tom Powell, in Quality.
While it felt like eternity to Hagfeldt, first responders and security were on the scene within minutes. Danee Pisarchuk, Occupational Health, was among the first to arrive. She was able to assess Powell, make sure someone had called for an ambulance and begin providing treatment and comfort.
Hagfeldt volunteered to drive Tom to the hospital and stayed with the family until Powell was flown to Spokane for care.
“All of the medical staff were impressed with how quickly the Energy Northwest team responded,” his family wrote in a letter to employees. “The medical staff commented that we owe Bob’s miraculous recovery to your efforts.”
On July 12, CEO Bob Schuetz awarded Short, Hagfeldt and Pisarchuk the CEO Lifesaving Award in recognition of their assistance.
“If not for the quick response of these individuals — as well as support from numerous others — this event could have ended much differently,” Schuetz said. “This event encapsulates everything that matters at Energy Northwest. We put safety first, and we care about each other as professionals and teammates.”
Hagfeldt emphasized the importance of paying attention to your teammates, staying calm and calling for help when needed.
“Receiving this award is very humbling, because I think it’s something that everybody would do,” Hagfeldt said.
Pisarchuk agreed.
“For me, this is what I’m here to do,” Pisarchuk said. “But it made me feel really honored. It’s not every day that you play a role like that in someone’s life.”
