Gregory Parkyn, Electrician II, and Howard Hess, Electrician I, have been named September's Employees of the Month by the Staff Employees Council.

Parkyn and Hess distinguished themselves on June 27, when they rendered first aid and comfort to an injured student worker during performance of their daily work duties.

According to Dean Hummel, supervisor of fire/life safety and perimeter security for Facilities Maintenance Services, Parkyn and Hess were responding to a fire alarm that had gone off at the Fleischmann Agriculture Building.

Parkyn heard a loud thumb and moaning coming from inside a lab on the second floor, Hummel said.

"He opened the door to find a student worker had fallen while carrying a large object and severely injured her hand," Hummel wrote in the nomination letter for Parkyn and Hess. "Greg immediately contacted Howie, who arrived to render first aid while he went in search of a first aid kit. After locating a kit and notifying her director, Greg returned to the student and Howie, who by this time had gotten her bleeding under control as best he could.

"Due to their knowledge of injury procedures and emergency facility locations, Greg escorted the injured worker to specialty health and remained there until her director arrived and took over responsibility.

"Both Greg and Howie's quick response to the fire alarm, coupled with their training and knowledge of procedures during an emergency situation, allowed for this incident to be handled smoothly, creating a positive reflection of Facilities personnel and their capabilities. They are to be commended for their actions on this day."