For immediate release                                                           
November 13, 2008                                                                         

Contacts: Raul Morales, (970)244-3066
                 Jim Sample, (303)239-3861 

BLM Colorado Employees Receive Top Safety Awards

DENVER –  Two Bureau of Land Management employees assigned to BLM’s Grand Junction Field Office have received individual safety awards for their contributions to safety management. The recipients are Martha Taylor, Information Technologies Specialist, and Guy Keene, Grand Junction Air Center Aviation Manager.

The two recipients were honored by Sally Wisely, BLM Colorado State Director in an awards ceremony at BLM’s Grand Junction Field Office on November 12, 2008.

Martha Taylor was one of 11 nominees and was named as recipient based on her contributions to the BLM’s safety program through her work on a special database she helped expand and refine. The database maintains safety training requirements and certifications among the BLM field offices’ employees.

Taylor was initially nominated by Catherine Robertson, BLM Grand Junction Field Manager. The  runner-ups each received a certificate of recognition for their contributions to their offices’ safety programs.

The software application has been adopted by the BLM Colorado for use in all of its 15 Field Offices and Public Lands Centers throughout the state. “This application has been a major contribution to our safety program and toward helping ensure the workplace safety of all our BLM employees in Colorado,” said Wisely.

Guy Keene was recognized by the U.S. Forest Service for his leadership in aviation operations in western Colorado. He received the Regional Forester’s Safety Leadership Award for his efforts in aviation safety across the entire Upper Colorado River Fire Management Unit.
Keene is responsible for overseeing the Grand Junction Air Tanker Base, Rifle Air Base and Single Engine Air Tanker reload station, interagency helitac operations, a heli-tanker, and the occasional smokejumper operations at the Grand Junction Air Center. Since Guy came on board as the aviation manager, the GJAC service has improved dramatically.  Pilot evaluations now commonly express that the “Grand Junction Air Tanker Base is the best in the country” and “there’s nowhere else I’d rather be or work during summer fire season!”  Much of Guy’s efforts have involved ensuring aviation staff receive thorough safety briefings when they arrive at the GJAC.  He also has coordinated and helped teach numerous training courses for UCR Fire Management staff.
“Guy has made all our employees lives safer through training, mentoring and positive leadership,” said Chris Farinetti the Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Upper Colorado River Fire Management Unit.

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