American Gas - August/September 2011 - (Page 9)

industrynews PeoPle Trends evenTs Meritorious service Award Winner Helps To save Woman from Gunman On the mOrning of Oct. 12, 2010, what alagasco’s tommy swinshould have been a standard customer dle (center) received the aga meritorious service service call turned into a life-or-death award for his heroic situation for Tommy Swindle, a service efforts in saving a wommechanic with Alagasco. As a result of an’s life. Craig Hoeferlin, assistant vice president, his efforts, a woman’s life was saved, engineering and field and during the AGA Operations Conservices, Laclede gas Co. and first vice chair, aga ference held May 24–27 in Nashville, Operating section, and Tenn., Swindle was presented with the Christina sames, aga vice president, operaAGA Meritorious Service Award, which tions and engineering, recognizes an individual in the natural presented the award. gas industry who has saved a human life during the prior calendar year. The award is sponwas shot in the back of the leg as sored by Consolidated Edison she fled. Swindle called 911 again Company of New York. and advised that Smith had been Swindle was turning on the shot and was bleeding and an natural gas at a residence in ambulance was now needed. Selma, Ala., that morning while The man approached Smith, the customer, “Ms. Smith,” unloaded the rifle and, realwaited on her porch for him to izing he had no more bullets, complete his work at the gas started to kick and stomp on the meter. A pickup truck stopped woman as she lay bleeding on in front of Swindle’s service the ground. Before driving away, vehicle. The man driving did not he declared he was going to get acknowledge Swindle’s greeting, Daniel ersoy (center) of the gas technology Institute won the more bullets and shoot someone but instead proceeded to have a John b. mcgowan sr. research award, presented by Craig else. Swindle ran to assist Smith heated argument with Smith. Hoeferlin of Laclede gas Co. and aga’s Christina sames. Swindle returned to his serand used his belt as a tourniquet vice vehicle and saw the man retrieve again and advised that the gunman was on her leg to try to slow the bleeding. a high-powered rifle from his truck now in the house with Smith. Smith faded in and out of consciousMoments later, Smith ran from the then aim and shoot at Smith. The shot ness due to considerable blood loss. missed, and Smith rushed into the house with the man in pursuit. She ran After much pleading, Swindle perhouse, locking the door behind her. behind Swindle as the man rounded the suaded a neighbor to help him move Swindle immediately dialed 911 and truck, his rifle now pointed directly at Smith away from the ant bed on which gave his name and company as well as Swindle. While protecting Smith, Swinshe’d fallen. He then directed the information on the shooting and the dle tried to reason with the man, who neighbor to get a clean shirt from his property address. Meanwhile, the gunstated he was “going to kill her.” As the truck as well as ice and water from the man had walked to the house and kicked gunman advanced, Smith ran around cooler. Swindle packed ice on Smith’s in the front door, so Swindle called 911 the truck to get away from him, but she wounds and used the shirt to apply a august/september 2011 AmericAn GAs 9

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - August/September 2011

American Gas - August/September 2011
Contents
President’s Message
In the Know
Industry News
Safety First
Is Now the Time for NGVs?
NGVs for America
The Drive to Succeed
Peer Pressures
Vendor News
Marketplace
Advertisers’ Index
Places to Be
Noteworthies
Jobline
Facts on Gas

American Gas - August/September 2011