Safety Award Presentations

Five employees of the Department of Transportation and Public Works will be honoured tonight, March 20 as they receive the 2002 Minister's Award. The award will be presented at the official opening of the 20th annual Nova Scotia Safety Council Conference and trade show in Halifax.

This year's recipients are:

• The crew of the Petite Passage Ferry between Digby Neck and
  Long Island: Charlie Thibodeau, captain, Frank Gillis,
  engineer and Todd Anderson, mate.

In March 1999, all three were involved in the rescue of a
diver who ran into trouble while collecting sea urchins. The
ferry crew spotted him as he was being carried out to sea by
an ebb tide. The diver was swept more than a kilometre from
his own boat but he was plucked from the water by the ferry
crew.

• Leon Cordeau, operations supervisor, Beechville/Sambro

In August 2001, Leon Cordeau was having lunch with a co-
worker who began to choke. Mr. Cordeau performed the Heimlich
manoeuvre, and after five or six thrusts was able to dislodge
the food stuck in the man's throat.

• Lewis Farrell, weigher, Antigonish

In December 2001, Lewis Farrell was working at the asphalt
plant in James River, when an employee of New England Paving
Limited collapsed. After checking the man's vital signs, Mr.
Farrell realized the victim was not breathing. He administered
CPR for 15 to 20 minutes until emergency technicians arrived.
The patient recovered in hospital. Mr. Farrell's quick
response is credited with saving the man's life.

Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron Russell will present the awards shortly after he officially opens the conference at 5 p.m. in the Atlantic Room of the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel.