Lakeview, Ore. – Four Fremont-Winema National Forest employees received U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6) Safety Awards. The Region 6 Annual Safety Award Program recognizes employees, groups, teams, and councils for their efforts and accomplishments towards improving safety, health, and wellness within their local organizations.
Linda Watson, Chiloquin Ranger District’s Administration Operations Assistant, received the Regional Forester’s Individual Award for Excellence in Safety and Health. She is being recognized for taking a leadership role in guiding the Chiloquin Ranger District’s Safety and Hazardous Communication (HAZCOM) programs. Her efforts have had a direct and positive impact on reducing employee injuries on the district.
“Linda stood out in the region as an individual committed to safety. This is especially notable considering all of her other assigned duties,” said Connie Cummins, Forest Supervisor. “She has really provided an example to all of us on what it means to put safety first.”
Serving as the co-chair for the Chiloquin Ranger District’s safety committee, Watson has led an annual Safety Week, Compound Clean-up Day, and a hazardous materials removal program. She is also always watchful to identify strategic risks and provides briefings to new and seasonal employees to ensure they are aware of hazards on the district.
Winema Interagency Hotshot Crew members, Jeremy Surprenant, James Evans and Philip Capurro, received the Regional Forester’s Wildland Fire Team Safety Award for Excellence. They are being honored for administering lifesaving medical care to a crew member who was rendered unconscious by a falling snag. The actions taken by these individuals ensured the crew member’s condition and treatment needs were appropriately evaluated and emergency care was provided in a timely manner.
On Sept. 21, 2014, the Winema Interagency Hotshot Crew was working on the Freezeout Ridge Fire, in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, when one of their crew sustained numerous life-threatening injuries from a falling snag. Surprenant and Evans, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and Capurro, a former paramedic, administered immediate medical care. The injured hotshot was transported to a heli-spot via long-line, and transported to the Freezeout Ridge heli-base, then on to Boise, Idaho, via air ambulance.
“While these three individuals were specifically recognized for their quick and effective medical response, I would also like to acknowledge the entire Winema Interagency Hotshot Crew for their efforts in getting their injured crew member transported to a place where he could receive additional critical care,” said Cummins. “The entire crew’s efforts likely resulted in saving their crew member’s life.”
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