‘Helping others when it mattered most’

Employees receive ‘Good Neighbor’ award for stepping up during emergencies

At Great River Energy, the Good Neighbor Program recognizes employees who step up to help others during emergencies or difficult situations. They do so using the same skills, training and calm decision-making they rely on in their day-to-day work.

The program encourages employees to be extra eyes and ears — and, when it’s safe and appropriate, to act.

That might mean making the right call to get help on the way, using a phone or radio to communicate, or applying first-aid or CPR skills. Great River Energy Vice President and Chief Transmission Officer Priti Patel recently presented Good Neighbor awards to two employees who made a real difference in their communities.

Orlando helps boaters in need
Ethan Orlando, line technician at Great River Energy, was out on a lake testing a boat he’d been working on. He heard shouting, realized a canoe had tipped and that people were struggling to get to shore. Orlando immediately brought his boat over to help, stayed with the situation as first responders arrived and even assisted a first responder in the water by using his boat to help bring a victim to the dock.

Orlando’s heroic efforts were recognized with the Good Neighbor Program’s highest honor: the Award of Excellence. This award is presented to employees who act on the rare opportunity to use their skills to save a life, minimize serious injury or change the course of an extremely serious situation.

“Great River Energy is proud of Ethan for staying calm, acting quickly and helping others when it mattered most,” Patel said. “His actions demonstrate what it means to be a good neighbor. Ethan saw people in need and stepped up without hesitation, using his skills and equipment to make a real difference. That’s the kind of impact our employees have in the communities where we live and work.”

Underwood water shortage provides opportunity to help
When the community of Underwood, North Dakota, issued a “Do Not Use Water” mandate due to a water main break, Great River Energy Relay Technician/Electrician Foreperson Zac Heskin knew he needed to help.

Due to the mandate, residents had no drinking water, couldn’t shower or even wash their hands. They also couldn’t use tap water for cooking. Some Great River Energy employees live in Underwood, along with many elderly residents and others who couldn’t easily travel to gather supplies.

Heskin reached out to leadership at Great River Energy and city representatives to help mobilize support to get water and essential supplies donated. In addition to several pallets of bottled water, Great River Energy donated supplies such as paper goods, cleaning wipes and meals that could be heated in a microwave.

Heskin worked with the city of Underwood to get the supplies transported to primary locations where residents could pick them up. The city also used an ambulance to deliver water to those who couldn’t leave their homes. The “Do Not Use Water” mandate lasted six days.

“It was a really cool thing to be a part of the whole community pulling together as one,” he said.

Heskin’s efforts were recognized with the Good Neighbor Program’s Award of Merit. This award is presented to employees who act on a situation with more than a simple radio call or a momentary stop for simple assistance.

Also being recognized for their support in this effort were: Rachel Retterath, director, North Dakota affairs; Lonnie Levy, relay technician/electrician; John Wallace, line technician foreperson; Luke Kadrmas, line technician; Matt Cordell, line technician; Nicholas Shubert, line technician; Mike Helm, power apparatus technician/electrician; Art Hotten, recently retired power apparatus technician/electrician; and Greg Loeffler, materials/fleet person. These individuals received the Good Neighbor award for their efforts.

“To all of you — thank you,” said Patel. “What you did represents the best of who we are: seeing a need, taking action and helping our neighbors with care and urgency.”