Pantex Blog
Firefighters find new skills in scavenger hunt training
Captain Matt Ketelhut shows his crew a box found during scavenger hunt training at Amarillo College East in December.
I am always hungry. I must always be fed. The finger I touch will soon turn red. What am I?
Riddles are a part of life, maybe not in the “answer this to pass” way, but in the way that every day presents problems that need solved or situations where choices must be made—especially if you work in emergency services.
That is why when Pantex Fire Department Captain Jeremy Lyman saw scavenger hunt-style training online, he knew it would benefit his firefighters. Most first responders quickly know the answer to the riddle above is fire, but some riddles may be a little harder to solve. Scavenger hunt training combines potential real-life situations with critical thinking puzzles to complete a mission.
Training began with small groups in November at Amarillo College East and will continue through early 2025. The scavenger hunt involves nine different calls, including a variety of situations such as extrication exercises, potential fire scenes, and rope rescue. Training intentionally includes less-than-ideal conditions to simulate what could happen at a real scene.
“In a scenario where someone is locked out, firefighters have to defeat the lock without damaging the door, using different equipment to get the lock off and manipulate the deadbolt to get the door open,” Lyman said. “Once they get in there, there’s a box with a clue in it—something about rope rescue, but the building has no light, so whatever they bring in with them is what they have to work with.”
Lyman says training like this builds teamwork, enhances communication, and expands critical thinking skills. Small groups of four firefighters, enough to make up an engine company or a crew, work together to respond to incidents, create solutions, and stay true to the mission of preserving life and property. Resourcefulness and thinking outside of the box is critical for participants.
“It’s important because being a firefighter you don’t have to be good at one or two things; you have to be good at a multitude of things,” Lyman said. “You have to train in all of those areas in case the need arises for that one day. You need to be prepared for anything that will happen. This training covers a wide variety of emergencies firefighters could respond to. Most of these scenarios could happen out here at Pantex or our responding area with our mutual aid partners.”
Once a call is complete, trainers simulate going back into service so participants are ready for the next challenge, then they are dispatched to a new location.
“They have to change the channels on the truck radio and the portable radios, looking at maps and different resources to navigate the various addresses involved,” Lyman said. “It builds and improves on teamwork, problem solving, effective communication, and working under sub-optimal conditions.”
Firefighters are required to achieve at least 30 hours of continuing education credits per year, including classroom, online, and hands-on training like this.
“It’s something different, a more firsthand experience than sitting in a classroom,” Lyman said. “All firefighters will complete this and receive three hours of credit.”
Lyman said the training is multipurpose. It fulfills hands-on training time but also allows for a deeper understanding of how to use specialty equipment and tools that are not used every day.
“Some of the newer firefighters that come on haven’t done a lot of work with small equipment or other unique tools,” Captain Lyman said. “We work with chainsaws and thermal-imaging cameras on this. Those with more experience are educating them.”
Lyman has worked as a Pantex firefighter for the past 25 years. He said it is inspiring to see the new firefighters and more senior firefighters all come together to solve the riddles during the scavenger hunt and learn new skills.
“They go through the scenario; it’s not rushing through it—it’s slow and methodical,” Lyman said. “We can stop and answer questions. The veteran members of the department show the newer ones how to do things. It’s cool standing back and watching it, going through your scenario; they in turn help the new people, get everyone on the same page.”
Partnering with Amarillo College to inspire students
Pantex Amarillo College interns with their mentors and institution leadership. Left to Right: Denese Skinner, Amarillo College Interim President; Graham Sample, Fire Protection Engineering, Joe Bill Sherrod, Amarillo College Vice President of Institutional Advancement/Executive Director of the AC Foundation, Claire McKinney, Mechanical Engineering, Clinton Williams, Manager Project Engineering, Katie Schilling, Austin Foster, Electrical Engineering, Jesus Marquez, Adan Sanchez.
Amarillo College engineering students Jesus Marquez, Adan Sanchez, and Katie Schilling made history as Pantex’s first two-year community college engineering interns. The intern program has previously only hosted students from four-year programs.
“These AC students knocked it out of the park,” said Dr. Zuleyma Carruba-Rogel, performance improvement specialist. “What compelled this partnership was the need to build strong long-term talent pipelines in hard-to-fill areas such as engineering.”
Both Sanchez and Schilling are from Dimmitt, Texas — about an hour and a half from the site.
“Coming from a small town, I never knew the plant even existed,” Sanchez said. “I moved to Amarillo and started working for a commercial heating and air construction company and had a few projects on-site. From there I was exposed to how important the mission is, and I knew that Pantex was a place I would love to work for.”
During their time at Pantex, interns experience hands-on, meaningful work.
“I did not think that I would get the internship, but I was pushed hard to get out of my comfort zone and start networking,” Schilling said. “I was finally able to see what engineers do out in the field and the kind of work that I can expect to do in the future. It solidified exactly what I want to do in the future and why I chose engineering.”
Sanchez and Schilling agreed that going to Amarillo College allowed them to save money during their first two years working towards their degree. While the other interns at Pantex attended four-year universities, the two noted how important it is for community college students to participate in opportunities such as this internship.
“It really pushed me to finish my degree,” Sanchez said. “I can't wait to get out in the workforce and apply my knowledge to different projects.”
When asked to give advice to community college peers, Schilling detailed how students should shoot for the stars.
“Apply knowing that you do have a chance, but if your chance does not come, keep trying,” Schilling said. “Do not belittle yourself just because you are from a community college; you have as much potential and drive as anyone going to a university.”
After graduating this year, Sanchez plans to attend Texas Tech University to complete his mechanical engineering degree. Schilling is planning to attend West Texas A&M University to continue her studies in mechanical engineering after graduation this December.
Pantex has already established partnerships with Texas Tech and West Texas A&M, and has many alumni from both universities working at the plant. Adding Amarillo College to the list of higher education partners is important to the mission.
“We see incredible potential in a strong relationship with Amarillo College (and other educational institutions) and Pantex Engineering for the greater benefit of Pantex as a whole,” said Clinton Williams, project engineering manager.
Making these partnerships with students while they are still in school is vital to the development of future Pantexans.
“We wanted students early in their education to see Pantex as their career goal,” Carruba-Rogel said. “Not as a wish or a dream but a tangible goal that they could work towards.”
Holiday cheer and season bringing you down?
Holiday stress and seasonal affective disorder can affect everyone
The festive energy in the air, the colorful lights on houses, and the hustle and bustle of the season is an atmosphere straight out of a Hallmark movie. Despite the seasonal feeling, statistics show this time of year leaves many people stressed and depressed.
According to the American Psychological Association, 89% of adults have stress over the holidays. This busy time of year can bring a unique kind of challenge. The long to-do list, financial burden of gift buying, and overall full schedule can leave people feeling more anxious than cheerful.
The Mayo Clinic offers tips to help you overcome feeling blue during the holidays:
- Acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to feel each mood.
- Reach out to connect with others who may bring you joy.
- Be realistic about what the holidays look like for you this year.
- Set aside differences with family members and avoid talking about stressful topics.
- Create a budget you can realistically afford to spend.
- Plan ahead by scheduling holiday errands and tasks on specific days.
- Say no to things when you feel overwhelmed.
- Keep up healthy habits by getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising.
- Give yourself a break and spend at least 15 minutes alone without distractions.
- If you feel constant sadness, depression, and anxiety, seek help from a medical professional.
Additionally, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) becomes more common when there is less daylight during the fall and winter months.
The American Psychological Association estimates approximately 5% of adults in the United States suffer from this disorder; people living far from the equator, women, and younger adults are the most commonly diagnosed.
SAD is more than having a bad day or feeling down in the dumps. According to the Mayo Clinic, “symptoms may include feeling sad, angry, or easily irritable most of the day nearly every day; lack of interest in activities once enjoyed; difficulty concentrating; persistent tiredness; lack of energy; and, in some cases, feeling that life isn’t worth living or having suicidal thoughts.”
As the season continues, some people may experience continual tiredness and weight gain. While it may seem dark, there is light at the end of the SAD tunnel.
The Mayo Clinic recommends people who struggle with SAD follow these tips:
- Spend at least 30 minutes a day in front of a light therapy box.
- A light therapy box is a lamp that mimics natural sunlight
- Speak to a healthcare professional.
- Stay involved with regular activities and engage with social circle.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
Understanding the potential of stress, anxiety, and illness and proactively addressing it can remove risk and allow employees to focus on the mission.
A Legacy of Giving
Volunteers ringing bells outside store for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.
During the winter of 1955, Pantex employees decided to forgo exchanging cards and gifts among themselves; instead, they pooled their money to purchase toys and clothing for families in need within the community. This act of giving has, for 69 years, brought joy to thousands of families who otherwise would have gone without during the holiday season.
Now known as the Pantex Christmas Project, this long-standing tradition offers a special opportunity for employees to serve both youth and elderly in our community. Part of the Christmas Coalition of Amarillo, which is a group of nonprofit organizations dedicated to meeting community needs during the holiday season, the project is powered by volunteers and supported through employee contributions, fundraisers, and our community. Co chairs Lennet Hernandez, who has dedicated 25 years to the cause, and Tamara Packard, an 18-year volunteer, coordinate the project. Along with their team of “elves,” Hernandez and Packard bring holiday cheer to people in the Amarillo area each year.
The project kicked off in early August, when applications were made available through school counselors in Amarillo. Referrals come from a variety of sources, including local schools, churches, childcare facilities, and community organizations for the elderly. (Although the program focuses mainly on youth, about 10% of recipients are elderly.) Once a committee reviews the completed applications, they interview each family or participant to verify the submitted information is correct. The committee then selects the families who will be part of the project.
Children and elderly participants are represented by “angel tags” placed on a virtual Christmas tree and advertised to Pantexans via the intranet. Employees choose an angel and purchase the items listed on the tag, which include a complete outfit, a new pair of shoes, and a special wish-list item. A special item for each child could be a toy, while elderly recipients may receive additional clothes or other essentials. The gifts are distributed a few days before Christmas.
“Without this program, many children would go without,” Packard said. “It’s not just about the toys. Some of these children only receive hand me down or donated clothing. Our goal is to ensure every child on our tree receives two complete outfits and two pairs of brand-new shoes. More than anything, our outreach ensures these children receive the blessing of clothes and shoes—as they deserve.”
To ensure as many families as possible are served, those selected are allowed to participate only once. The elderly, however, stay with the program the rest of their lives.
“We are so happy to be able to help so many deserving families each year,” Hernandez said. “It truly is the highlight of the holiday season for us. With the generous donations from Pantexans and community organizations, the Pantex Christmas Project is able to grant these individuals wishes.”
The Pantex Christmas Project recently partnered with the Teen Christmas program to give Walmart gift cards to teens in our community. A local Walmart employee started the Teen Christmas program about 20 years ago. When he retired, the program faced an uncertain future, but thanks to collaboration among the Pantex Christmas Project, Salvation Army, and the Christmas Coalition of Amarillo, Teen Christmas continued. Donors to this program spread holiday joy to teenagers in need by purchasing and donating gift cards so teens can pick their own gifts. The program is going strong, partly thanks to the generosity of Pantexans.
In addition to these gifting programs, Pantex partners with the Salvation Army and the High Plains Food Bank to address community needs during the holiday season through The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign and HPFB’s Together We Can Food and Fund Drive. Both efforts align with Pantex’s mission to serve the community, not only through financial contributions but also through volunteerism.
Dedicated employees volunteer every year to ring bells outside stores for the Red Kettle Campaign. A Christmas tradition since 1891, the campaign began when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee used a kettle to collect funds for the hungry. Today, the campaign relies on donations to support vital programs in communities across the globe. Every penny raised through Pantex efforts with the Red Kettle Campaign stays local and helps fund services such as food assistance, shelter, and social programs.
“For several years, many Pantexans have volunteered their time from early November through early to mid-December to ring a bell for 2 hours,” said Community and Educational Outreach Coordinator Darla Fish. “It’s become a meaningful way for Pantexans to show their love and support for the community.”
Pantex has been involved for over 20 years with the Together We Can Food and Fund Drive. As a major sponsor, Pantex provides a $10,000 monetary donation and mobilizes volunteers for the annual fundraiser each December. Through the drive, just $1 can provide 9 meals to help feed individuals and families across the 29 counties in the Texas Panhandle.
“Our partnership with the HPFB strengthens our community by ensuring children, seniors, and families have access to nutritious food,” Fish said. “It’s not only about our financial support; our employees also donate their time to inspect, sort, and repack donated food. This commitment to helping those in need is something that makes me truly proud to be a Pantexan.”
This spirit of giving showcases Pantex’s commitment to being a good corporate neighbor and making a lasting impact in the Texas Panhandle.
I am Mission Success: Brenda Martin
Take 5 minutes to learn about Emergency Services’ Brenda Martin. This article details her role at Pantex and reinforces the diverse workplace culture Pantex offers. All views and opinions are the employee's own and do not necessarily reflect those of PXD.
“I enjoy feeling like I solved a problem, like I fixed something,” said longtime Pantexan Brenda Martin.
Camaraderie—at work and in her personal life—is a strong motivator for Martin, as is contributing to the community she calls home.
“I love giving back to the community,” she said. “When I say I have a lot of volunteer experience and that it’s my passion, that is my passion. I have been fortunate to sit on several nonprofit boards and raise a lot of money for many nonprofit organizations in Amarillo. There are so many worthwhile causes and it is a feeling of giving back that I can’t describe.”
This mindset is why Martin was named Amarillo’s Woman of the Year in 2012.
An enjoyment for working with people and supporting her community are traits that serve Martin well. Her role at Pantex involves problem-solving and tackling both known and potentially unforeseen emergencies. The tasks that she and her colleagues take on depend upon solid communication and mutual cooperation, and involve the safety of the entire Pantex community.
To anticipate, analyze, and resolve issues, Martin has to have a rock-solid understanding of Pantex and how it operates. In this, she has an advantage, though she didn’t initially set out to use it.
“My parents both worked out here,” Martin said. “There is another DOE site in Burlington, Iowa. My parents transferred to Pantex from Burlington in 1974 when I was just a kid. I had no earthly desire to come to Pantex after listening to my parents at the dinner table! My dad was DOE and my mom was Mason & Hanger. You can only imagine!”
Instead, Martin pursued a vocation in marketing financial institutions, spending more than a decade in that field before coming home, so to speak, to Pantex.
Part of her role at Pantex involves the Emergency Public Information team, a disparate group of employees across the plant who respond to emergency situations to share timely, accurate, and appropriate information with the media, public and their fellow employees.
“They do a great job communicating to our employees, the media, and stakeholders,” she said.
Looking back on a full career, Martin said her sense of accomplishment extends well beyond her own sphere of influence.
“I’ve been here more than 32 years, and I’m still in awe of our impact,” she reflected. “Being the only site that offers our specific contribution—the importance of what Pantex does for our nation makes me feel good.”
What is one thing your coworkers would be surprised to know about you?
I once got a speeding ticket in my driveway. I had been speeding down the street, and turned into my alley right in front of a police officer.
What’s your top bucket-list item, and why?
I would love to go to Italy. I had a friend who went there recently and showed me amazing beautiful photos. It looks picturesque. Would love to go and experience Italy.
What characteristics define a good leader to you, and why?
A good leader has to be able to listen. He or she must have integrity, respect, and compassion. They need to be trustworthy. They definitely must have great communication skills. I just think about what makes a leader you look up to, somebody you respect, and I’m thinking of influential people in Amarillo. Those are the words that come to me.
What advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex?
Be thankful for what you have been given. Do your best at the job you have been given, do your best every day. We are so fortunate to have these good jobs with good benefits—don’t take it for granted.
Describe the evolution of your problem-solving skills. What was behind this change?
We are fortunate here at Pantex to have so many different trainings and tools from which to learn, particularly as issues management specialists. I have been fortunate enough to attend and learn from some of the best and most knowledgeable resources available. Our training and tools are genuinely excellent.