SACRAMENTO—The Department of General Services today honored more than 100 state employees and nine state agencies through the 23rd Annual Governor's Employee Safety Awards (GESA) program. The program recognizes the extraordinary efforts of state workers who exemplify public service by promoting health and safety - both within and outside the workplace.

The 114 state employees who received the 2003 Governor's Safety Awards included:

Caltrans equipment operators John Frye and Sue Faustino, who found a van had gone off the road and landed upside down in a creek in the Susanville region. After discovering that the van’s driver was unconscious, they administered CPR until emergency personnel arrived on the scene. They also rescued two small children inside the overturned vehicle who were still fastened to their seats with safety belts.

Department of Water Resources employees Francisco Nuno and Bruce Jackson, who saved the lives of an adult and a child who were in danger of drowning in the swift waters of the California Aqueduct. They used a life ring to rescue the individuals.

Department of Fish and Game Warden William Grove, who responded to a call for assistance from Fresno County law enforcement officials involving a man with a gun who was barricaded inside a house, and threatening suicide. Warden Grove used his state vehicle’s public address system to speak to the person inside the house, and was ultimately able to convince the man to surrender.

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) staff physician Dr. Christian Jagusch and clinic coordinator Lawrence Harvey, who developed and implemented an Automated External Defibrillator program at the campus. More than 80 CSULB employees have been trained how to operate the device, which has been used to save the lives of six people suffering from full cardiac arrest.

Nine departments also received Governor's Employee Safety Awards, including the Department of Real Estate, Department of Consumer Affairs, California Conservation Corps and Office of the State Public Defender for most improvement in vehicle accident prevention during the fiscal year ending 2002.

Departmental awards for reducing the costs of work-related injuries were given to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Department of Managed Health Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Office of the State Public Defender, and the California Tahoe Conservancy.

The GESA program is managed by the Department of General Services' Office of Risk and Insurance Management.

Please link below to view the list of the 23rd Annual Governor's Employee Safety Awards.  Click here