December 2007

To The Rescue

Walton EMC's comprehensive safety training pays off

The quick actions of Frederick Muldrow, Tommy Ledford and Tommy McDaniel in saving coworker Kenneth Malcom's life have been recognized with the Georgia EMC Life Saving Award.

Everything seemed routine except the heat.

Four Walton EMC employees, Journeyman Line Technicians Tommy McDaniel and Kenneth Malcom along with Apprentice Line Technician Tommy Ledford and Line Technician Trainee Frederick Muldrow were plugging along in spite of the 105-degree temperature that afternoon.

They had just discussed how to go about a typical underground wire installation at an office building and had split up to begin work.

McDaniel and Ledford went to the building end of the electrical service run. Malcom and Muldrow stayed at the transformer end. As Malcom begin pushing wire into the open transformer, he blacked out and fell inside.

On the way down, Malcom’s head and shoulder slammed into the transformer, injuring both. But those were just minor problems. When his co-workers got to him, they found he wasn’t breathing and had no pulse.

“That’s when our training kicked in,” says McDaniel. “You do stuff you don’t realize you can do.”

As McDaniel and Muldrow performed CPR, Ledford summoned emergency medical services. “He came back to us as we were doing CPR, right before the ambulance arrived,” continues McDaniel.

“Everybody knew what to do,” says Muldrow. “It all fell right in line. I’m glad these two (McDaniel and Ledford) were with me. I’m glad I didn’t have to try to get Kenneth out by myself.”

“It just as easy could have been one of us,” adds Ledford.

Malcom’s coworkers knew what to do because of ongoing training they receive as part of their workplace education. All Walton EMC employees, both those who work outside and inside, are trained in basic lifesaving skills. That training is refreshed on a regular schedule.

“Something like this could happen anytime and if you didn’t have the appropriate training, you’d be at a total loss”, says McDaniel. “I thank Walton EMC for providing us with the safety training we need.”

The trio was recognized with the Georgia EMC Lifesaving Award for their heroic actions at the organization’s recent annual meeting. The award recognizes EMC employees whose courage and skillful actions are instrumental in rescuing someone from grave and immediate danger.

But the training isn’t just to come to the aid of fellow workers. The techniques equip employees to respond to emergency situations in the community. It’s another way Walton EMC shows its commitment to community, which is what co-ops are all about.

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