POWERGRAMS

Above and Beyond For Andy Chambliss, fire was no deterrent when a woman's life was in jeopardy. After having dinner with his mother last summer, Chambliss and his wife, Heather, were walking to their nearby home when they saw smoke. Thinking their neighbor's house was on fire, they headed that way to investigate. "When we got over there, we saw that a car had actually wrecked into our neighbor's fence and was on fire. Then, I heard somebody beating on the inside of the car, and the horn started blowing," said Chambliss, substation crew leader. Seeing that a woman was trapped inside, Chambliss tried to open the car door, but it was locked. He ran to get his neighbor's hose and sprayed water on the flames that were rising over the car hood. With the fire extinguished, Chambliss broke the back window with a cinder block from his neighbor's flowerbed. When he saw a 5-gallon can of gasoline stashed behind the backseat, Chambliss used the cinder block to break the driver's window and reached inside to unlock the car door. "The driver was lying back in the seat unconscious, so I had to drag her out of the car," said Chambliss. "When I got her to the side of the road, I checked her pulse and saw that she was breathing." Chambliss stayed with the driver until the ambulance arrived about two minutes later to transport her to the hospital. He later learned the driver, Tomeka Williams, had suffered from smoke inhalation. A 13-year Alabama Power veteran, Chambliss lives in tiny Malone, Fla., but primarily works on substation construction projects in Southeast Division. "I didn't even think about it. When I saw what was going on, I just went over there and got her out of the car. I would have done it for anybody," said Chambliss, who was in a similar situation three years ago. He became trapped in his truck when it flipped off the side of the road. Chambliss is among a record 37 employees receiving this year's Presidential Award of Honor, the company's highest safety recognition. Along with individual employees who helped save lives, the award recognized work groups involved in emergency response situations. "I can't emphasize it enough – nothing is more important than safety: the safety of our employees, the safety of our employees' families, the safety of the public," said Alabama Power Chairman, President and CEO Mark Crosswhite. "This record number of presidential awards shows that we truly are our brothers' and sisters' keepers. I applaud these employees for reaching out to help their brothers and sisters when they needed it most." In addition to Chambliss, the employees and work groups being honored include: • Dan Dutton, Appliance Sales • Brandon Hope, Gaston Steam Plant • Calvin Mickens and Wilbur Thornton, Gorgas Steam Plant • Larry Hicks, Power Delivery-Anniston • Power Delivery – Western: Greg Aldridge, Albert Bell, Bryan McGee, Jason Pruett and James Styring • Barry Steam Plant Emergency Response Team: Reuben Adams (2), David Barnett, Kendra Burroughs, Tonya Byrd, Kyle Cochran (2), Kevin Dailey (2), David Dreaden, Randy Fleming (2), Kevin Lynch, Jamie Mason (2), Jeff Mason, James Savage, Jack Shaw (2), Vance Snow, Jason Sullivan (2), Ashley Weaver (2), Aaron Weston, Lerone Wiley (2) and Kevin Zedler • Miller Steam Plant Emergency Response Team: William Beavers, Richard Boles, Robert Busby, Larry Johnsey, Robert Pruett, Lawayne Vintson and Brandon Williams The Alabama Power Presidential Award of Honor, established by the Central Safety Committee in 1985, recognizes employees for acts that save or sustain the life of another person who is in danger of dying. The award also honors employees who have made contributions to the company's safety and health program that have led to a significant reduction in the number of work- related injuries. In addition to this year's presentations, 132 awards have been given to employees since the program began. By Carla Davis SAFETY 3 Seventeen Presidential Award of Honor recipients were honored during ceremonies in Birmingham. PRESIDENTIAL AWARD OF HONOR GOES TO RECORD 37 EMPLOYEES Crosswhite lauded winners. Photos by Wynter Byrd

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