Nine Comanche Peak employees were recently honored with Vistra’s highest safety award -the Vistra Lifesaving Award- in recognition of their team effort after a truck driver collapsed and went into cardiac arrest as he entered the Warehouse C building. If not for the lifesaving actions of these employees, the gentleman would not have been revived or able to be home with his family today.
While performing quality control activities during the preparation of a type B shipping cask, Rene Guy recognized that truck driver had collapsed, and she notified a nearby security officer of the incident before beginning chest compressions. A Radiation Protection (RP) Lead Technician overheard a security radio notification while exiting the protected area Alternate Access Point, informed RP Technician Chad Owens and Supervisor Wayne Oliver, and drove Chad to Warehouse C. When they arrived, Chad relieved Renee on chest compression while she applied an AED. Wayne arrived and relieved Chad on chest compressions and a shock was administered when prompted, which resulted in a return of spontaneous circulation.
When the medical response team (MRT) arrived, the team paramedic directed members to resume CPR, including ventilation with an oxygen fed bag valve mask, an additional shock was administered when prompted by the AED, and the paramedic established IV access. This team’s medical training enabled them to provide life saving aid, which resulted in the patient waking up and ultimately surviving a catastrophic cardiac event.
The Comanche Peak MRT is composed mostly of Chemistry employees trained as first responders to help ensure prompt response to any medical emergency on plant property. This group performs an annual contaminated patient exercise with RP technicians, which encourages RP employees to pitch in when lives are at risk. The MRT members have medical response experience ranging from 1 to 40 years.
Vinz Cayle, the newest member of the group who has worked at Comanche Peak less than a year, shared, “I knew I had to think and act fast. I was trained and expected to perform 100% under stressful situations in the US Navy. I was able to perform CPR for the first time and successfully saved a life,” said Vince.
Although medical response is not included in RP employee job description, this incident is evidence that the Comanche Peak team is made up of employees that care about people. Wayne Oliver said, “I only made the same effort I would want others to provide me or my family in the same situation.”
The following individuals all played a role in saving the drive’s life and received the Vistra Lifesaving Award: Vinz Cayle, Rene Guy, Josh Krejci, Sam Leistner, Timmy Mullins, Wayne Oliver, Chad Owens, Mike Mendoza Rivera, and Steve Willis – Safety/Health Services Program owner.
