Welsh Power Plant employees earn AEP Chairman’s Life Saving Award

Photo above: Nick Akins (back row, third from right), presented the AEP Chairman’s Life Saving Award to Welsh Power Plant employees: Kneeling,  left to right: Joe Powell, Jody Edwards, Cheston Wilson, Ronnie Wilson and Kirk Cochran. Standing, left to right: Gilberto Ortiz, Sammy Harding, Jamie Nelson, Ricky McLeroy, Keith Hill (holding award), K.C. Craig and Lee Jordan. Not pictured: Kenneth Bates.

Story by Scott McCloud

PITTSBURG, Texas — Nick Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer, recently presented the AEP Chairman’s Life Saving Award to Welsh Power Plant employees who responded in an emergency when a fellow employee in the control room had a heart attack.

“There is nothing more important than this group award as we recognize real heroes who worked to save another life and had the skills to do it,” said Akins. “The whole Welsh team worked together, using their training tools and proper communications when time was critical in this life or death situation.”

Control Center Operator Kirk Cochran was working his normal shift May 20, 2014, when co-workers noticed he was in medical distress. They immediately moved him to the floor and began chest compressions and rescue breathing, which regained his pulse. Electricians called 911 and led the paramedics from the plant gate to the control room, saving time on the response. Cochran returned to full-time duty in late July.

After the recognition lunch, Akins addressed plant employees on a number of current topics, including safety, the recent AEP culture survey, the lean project, Power up and Lead program, financials, cyber security, future generation and the EPA.

“AEP has operated three years without a fatality and every day is a new day. This year we are focusing on a new level to prevent slips, trips, falls and sprains. We are concentrating on eliminating the small things that can cause accidents,” said Akins.