Ottawa (November 21) – Annie Martin, a nurse and health counselor at Hydro Quebec who led a rescue team to a vehicle convoy directly trapped in a wildfire is a recipient of Electricity Canada’s Lifesaving Award.
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.
Electricity Canada’s Lifesaving Awards are granted annually to any on-duty employee of a member utility who was involved in a lifesaving attempt or acted to prevent further harm to someone who needed immediate help. These individuals often risk their own lives to help a stranger in need. The Lifesaving Awards are presented as part of the Occupational Health and Safety program at Electricity Canada, designed to track and monitor safety records of member utilities.
This year’s awards were presented at the sixth annual Electricity Canada Powering Partnerships summit in Ottawa to 23 individuals from five utilities.
QUOTE:
Every year, I am so inspired by the incredible, heroic people we have working for our member companies. It’s an honour to share their stories and thank them for their bravery. I am proud to present Annie with his award to her selflessness that has positively impacted so many members of her community. – Francis Bradley, President and CEO, Electricity Canada
About Electricity Canada:
Founded in 1891, Electricity Canada (formerly the Canadian Electricity Association) is the national forum and voice of the evolving and innovative electricity business in Canada. The Association supports, through its advocacy efforts, the regional, national, and international success of its members. Electricity Canada members generate, transmit, and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential, and institutional customers across Canada. Members include integrated electric utilities, independent power producers, transmission and distribution companies, power marketers, and system operators, who together deliver electricity to all Canadians, in every province and territory.
For additional Information:
Graeme Burk, Director of Communications, burk@electricity.ca 613.809.0720