Sixteen of cleanup contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley’s (CHBWV) more than 200 employees volunteer at several local fire departments.
Office of Environmental Management
June 4, 2019
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WEST VALLEY, N.Y. – Some cleanup workers are available around the clock to respond in the event of an emergency at EM’s West Valley Demonstration Project or surrounding communities.
Sixteen of cleanup contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley’s (CHBWV) more than 200 employees volunteer at several local fire departments, and some serve as officers for those organizations.
“Volunteers help balance the needs for responding to emergency medical needs, especially in rural areas,” said Kevin Murray, CHBWV’s emergency preparedness manager and volunteer firefighter. “In the event of any emergency, you have volunteer professionals who are trained and ready to provide lifesaving interventions.”
These volunteer firefighters draw on their emergency response expertise to provide safety training to the WVDP workforce.
“We understand the importance and benefit of having trained emergency responders working at West Valley,” EM WVDP Director Bryan Bower said. “We appreciate their continued commitment and effort to protect the health and safety of our workers and communities.”
Ashford Town Supervisor Charlie Davis commended the emergency responders.
“The men and women who volunteer their time to help others is an added benefit for our town and surrounding communities,” Davis said. “These professional volunteers play a vital role in providing pre-hospital care quickly in emergency situations.”
The value of having emergency responders working at WVDP was shown during an incident last year, according to Ken Whitham, vice president of CHBWV’s safety, quality, health and security division.
“This was clearly demonstrated last summer when employees who are also emergency medical technicians provided lifesaving care to an onsite visitor,” Whitham said. “If it wasn’t for their knowledge, training, and past experience, this medical emergency could have had a different outcome.”
CHBWV President and General Manager Scott Anderson added, “The site and community are fortunate to have these individuals to help when the need arises.”