AECI honors Dewayne Hawkins as 'Safety Person of the Year'

NEW MADRID - Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. has recognized E. Dewayne Hawkins, yard equipment operator, as the 2006 Safety Person of the Year at New Madrid Power Plant.

AECI's No. 1 strategic objective is to "Work safely to ensure an accident-free workplace." Last year, employees at AECI's coal plants achieved a new safety record.

AECI presents the annual Safety Person of the Year award to employees at the cooperative's two large coal plants who demonstrate a commitment to and knowledge of safe work practices. Each plant's safety committee selects the Safety Person of the Year from a list of 12 Safety Persons of the Month, nominated by plant employees.

Hawkins was nominated for responding to an emergency in March 2006 that involved two electricians working at the plant for a contractor. Hawkins, a trained member of the plant's emergency response team, responded to the call and used his extensive emergency training to check the men's conditions and call for medical support. The two men were taken to area hospitals, treated and released.

According to his nominator, Hawkins showed his ability to use the emergency medical technician training provided by AECI. "He responded quickly and gave the immediate medical attention to two persons involved. -- He also helped with the preparation and transportation to the hospital. He did all this in a timely fashion while keeping his wits about him."

AECI is owned by and provides wholesale power to six regional and 51 local electric cooperative systems in Missouri, southeast Iowa and northeast Oklahoma that serve more than 850,000 customers. AECI's mission is to provide an economical and reliable power supply and support services to its members.

AECI is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.