Lifesaving Award | Electricity Canada

Introduced in 1922, these awards are granted annually to any employee of an Electricity Canada member utility who was involved in a lifesaving attempt or acted to prevent further harm to someone who needed immediate help.

Past Recipients

2023

Jason McKellar, Pat Daigle, Josh McClellan, Grant Donnelly, Hunter Smith, Pierre Luc Larouche, Jean Michel Legace, Stephen Daley, Samuel Saulnier, Dave Jalbert, Luc Gallant

Two New Brunswick Power employees fell from a broken pole while repairing damaged equipment after an ice storm. In difficult weather conditions, the crew performed CPR and guided paramedics to the accident site. Unfortunately, one of the fallen employees succumbed to his injuries. However, the other injured worker was able to be rescued thanks to the actions of his crew members.

2023

Annie Martin

During the recent forest fires in Northern Quebec last July, a convoy of four vehicles was sent to rescue a group of firefighters who became trapped at a Hydro-Québec power plant. However, on the way there, the convoy was directly surrounded by the wildfires, and they were forced to stop. After hearing the convoy’s cries for help via radio, Annie, who is a nurse and health counselor at Hydro-Québec and her team were sent to rescue the convoy. Once they found them, Annie and her team immediately began treating the convoy members’ injuries and arranged for their transportation to local hospitals. Annie also coordinated the long-term medical treatment and psychological support for all of those affected by the incident – including the 11 firefighters, who were eventually rescued after the smoke had cleared.

2023

Dwain Hausherr

Dwain witnessed a half-ton truck lose control while rounding a corner on the highway just outside of Drayton Valley. Dwain pulled over to call 911 and immediately made his way to the crash site. The victim was frightened, bleeding, and trapped in the confined space of his rolled-over truck. Dwain was able to cut his seat belt and get the man out of the vehicle. He remained calm and stayed with the victim until emergency services arrived.

2023

Justin Roberts

Justin was one of the first on scene to a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcyclist who had hit a deer. Justin administered first aid to the victim and keeping him calm. He was able to control severe bleeding and stabilize the victim’s neck and body while 911 was called by bystanders.

2023

Paul Lu, Chris Browning, Ryan McKay, Pat McMinn, Greg Kitt, Mike Sawatsky, Dave Thomas, James Cotter

After witnessing the crash of a micro-lite glider pilot, the transmission crew set off on foot to search for the pilot. The crew located him and removed him from the wreckage. They assisted first responders in transporting the pilot to an awaiting ambulance via helicopter.

2023

Jason Elliot

While driving to a work site south of Sudbury, Jason stopped at the scene of an accident where a minivan had left the highway at a high rate of speed. Jason immediately ran to the wreckage and was able to pull the lone survivor from the vehicle and provide first aid.

2022

Enzo Napoli

While on shift at the OPG International Control Dam, a woman intentionally jumped into the dam. Enzo immediately closed the gates, called 911, and pulled the woman away from further danger with a life vessel. He stayed with her, and ensured she was safe, until police and paramedics arrived.

2022

Darren Banks, Mitchell Vautour, James Jordon, Ben Hambrook

While on shift at the Mactaquac Dam, Darren, Mitchell, James, and Ben performed life saving measures to save a man who was attempting to jump off a bridge into the dam.

2022

Darrell Kalthoff

While returning from shift at Access 8 at P52E Highway #9, Darrell was in a truck alone when he spotted an elderly man in a ditch. The man, whose truck had become stuck in snow, was attempting to walk home in -30-degree weather. Darrell performed lifesaving measures, such as first aid and hypothermia prevention, before returning him home.

2022

Jaycee Grandy, Greg Higdon, Chad Jefford

While returning from shift, Jaycee, Greg, and Chad were the first to come across the scene of a motor vehicle collision that had resulted in several injuries. The four employees took action to transfer the injured into their hydro trucks, and immediately began administering first aid until first responders arrived.

2021

Jason Goulet & Joseph Soluri

The EPCOR utility crew pulled over to the side of the road and sprang into action when they saw an apartment on fire and a woman on the second floor in distress and trying to escape. Joseph Soluri ran to set up and steady their 12-foot ladder so Jason could climb up to help and encourage the woman to climb down and escape.

2021

Pat Murray

Pat Murray delivered heroic, lifesaving actions on two separate occasions in 2021. On one instance, a truck lost control and narrowly missed striking Pat’s Hydro truck and crashed into a pole. Pat used an AED to revive the victim’s heartbeat and consciousness before handing-off to a BC ambulance. On another occasion, Pat administered first aid to a victim who received a serious blow to the face outside of a BC Hydro substation. He then transported the victim to the nearest medical clinic where an ambulance transported the victim to the local hospital.

2021

Greg Miller

Greg Miller and his partner were working at the Lady Evelyn Control Dam when they heard cries for help. A boat passenger was pale in colour and unresponsive and in need of medical assistance. Greg took action to initiate chest compressions on the unresponsive individual; obtained pertinent details to provide to paramedics on their arrival; administered first aid; and helped transfer the individual into ambulatory care.

2021

Gus Wilson & Daniel Bedard

During a suspected heart attack incident, Gus Wilson performed CPR on a fellow contractor, and Dan Bedard travelled to retrieve an automated external defibrillator (AED) which was used to revive the victim to a sitting and talking state. Although the individual passed away that evening, Dan and Gus’ actions ensured that he had had a better chance of survival during a 45-min wait for an ambulance, in an area with no cell phone coverage.

2021

Adam Demchuk

Adam Demchuk took immediate action after witnessing a serious car collision on his way home from work, where the vehicle in front of him hit a guard rail, flew into the air, plunged into a ditch, rolled over, and stopped on its roof. Adam performed a situation assessment, improved access to the victim for paramedics, and retrieved equipment needed (water pack, fire extinguisher) to protect against the possibility of a fire hazard.

2020

Wade Mackenzie

This past March 2020, Wade Mackenzie, an employee from Maritime Electric, drove by a customer who was shoveling his driveway. The customer waved Wade over and he stopped to have a conversation. During their conversation, the customer suddenly collapsed on the ice, hit his head on the pavement and was knocked unconscious. The situation appeared dire as the customers hands clenched and his eyes glazed over. Noticing he was unresponsive, Wade called 911 and kept the customer comfortable until responders and E.M.S arrived.

Questions?

For further information, please contact Natasha Honey, Electricity Canada's Officer, Safety and HR Program.

Email Natasha Honey