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Hear ye for Erie

From left, Maintenance Operations Supervisor Michael Burke, Maintenance Operations Support Supervisor Lee Huhta, Area Maintenance Technician Michael Wishnok, Maintenance Operations Supervisor Martino Coccarelli and Acting Plant Manager Larry Lovejoy at the Erie, PA, Processing and Distribution Center in February

A safety meeting held one morning earlier this year at the Erie, PA, Processing and Distribution Center turned into a scene of crisis when an employee experienced a medical emergency.

Maintenance Operations Support Supervisor Lee Huhta immediately called 911 when Electronic Technician Paul Kircher complained of physical discomfort.

As Kircher’s symptoms worsened, Huhta was joined by Maintenance Operations Supervisor Michael Burke, Maintenance Operations Supervisor Martino Coccarelli, Acting Plant Manager Larry Lovejoy and Area Maintenance Technician Michael Wishnok in rendering aid until paramedics arrived.

A hospital physician credited the group with saving their colleague’s life.

“Everyone worked as a team and did everything right,” said Kircher, who had suffered a severe allergic reaction to new medication. “I am lucky.”

He recovered from the incident.

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