San Marcos Electric Utility Workers Win Lifesaving Medal, Moten Award

“All of these actions were employee driven and were inspired through the team’s daily safety discussions,” said Utilities Metering Manager Alan Williams.

The San Marcos Electric Utility Department (SMEU) was recognized twice in May for their commitment to safety and their dedication to the public.

Moten Award

The SMEU Meter Technician Team was awarded the Johnny Moten award, created in 1998 to honor City individuals or teams nominated by their peers for achievements in establishing a safer work environment, during “Public Services Recognition Week.”

The Meter Technician Team members were recognized for not having any lost time due to injuries in over a decade and taking the initiative in being safe and efficient on the job.

Members of the team are Luis Sanchez, Henry Torres, Richard Robles, Jesse Trevino, Mike Perez, Andrew Gonzales, Jose Aguilar, and Anthony Garcia.

In the past year, the team has added strobe lights and reflective safety stickers to all their vehicles to increase visibility and reduce accidents.

They also began using full face shields while changing electric meters to avoid accidental injury and began daily stretching exercises.

“All of these actions were employee driven and were inspired through the team’s daily safety discussions,” said Utilities Metering Manager Alan Williams. “I could not be more proud of my team.”

Lifesaving Award

Meter Technician Jesse Trevino was the recipient for the Lifesaving Medal given by the San Marcos Police Department at their 23^rd Annual Awards Ceremony on May 18.

On Sept. 26, 2017, Trevino helped save an 8-year-old child with special needs who ran onto IH-35. Trevino was in his utility truck driving down Peter Garza Street when a teacher flagged him down and asked for help retrieving the child.

Trevino turned on his strobe lights, drove down the street, crossed the frontage road and stopped on the edge of the highway. 

By then, the child was on the highway running toward the median. Trevino was able to stop traffic on IH-35 long enough for the teacher and him to dash across the roadway and catch the child, returning the child safely to the teacher.

These awards exemplify City employees’ commitment to safety and to serving the public. For more information on the City’s safety programs, or on the SMPD’s annual awards, contact Communications Specialist Trey Hatt at ghatt@sanmarcostx.gov.