Pantex Blog
What a Treat
CNS sponsors Halloween party for mental health organization
Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC sponsored its annual Halloween party for clients of Texas Panhandle Centers Behavioral and Developmental Health October 31 at the Amarillo Civic Center. The organization serves individuals with mental illness and intellectual and developmental disabilities. The nearly 600 attendees were treated to music, dancing, group photos, and pizza served by Pantex volunteers. This year marks the 12th for this event, which many volunteers say is the most rewarding volunteer experience of the year.
Pantexans Honor Veterans
Amarillo home receives gift from CNS
Pantexans are saluting area veterans this week by participating in community events to honor Veterans Day and the men and women who have served our nation.
CNS was a proud corporate sponsor of a Saturday, Nov. 8, front-lawn Veterans Welcome Home Celebration at the Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center in Amarillo, Texas. There, Pantexans volunteered at a dessert booth serving up treats for Celebration attendees. The afternoon Celebration capped off a full day of events which included an all-you-can-eat breakfast and a downtown Veterans Day Parade.
Photos: Pantexans serve up treats at a CNS-sponsored dessert booth during a Saturday, Nov. 8, front-lawn Veterans Welcome Home Celebration at the Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center in Amarillo, Texas.
Pantexans also visited the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home in Amarillo on Monday to present four bread making machines on behalf of CNS. The home provides long-term nursing care for nearly 120 Texas veterans and family members.
“Providing care for our veterans is important,” said Pantex Deputy Site Manager Todd Ailes. “When we learned the smell of fresh bread baking helps stimulate appetite, we knew the machines can make a positive impact for the residents”.
CNS will also sponsor a December, Veterans Holiday Party at the home.
Photo: Pantex Deputy Site Manager Todd Ailes and Debra Halliday, Pantex community relations coordinator, present bread machines to the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home.
Connecting with the Next Generation
Pantex employees supported the recent Top of Texas Career Expo for juniors and seniors across the Texas Panhandle. Professionals from various specialties, such as information technology, engineering, security and communications, shared job prospects, necessary education and skills, salary ranges and personal experiences. More than 800 students attended the event at West Texas A&M University.
Sean Usleton, systems architect, Amanda Helker, process engineer, and Kennith Springs, security police officer, talk to students about the variety of careers at Pantex.
Pantex, Y-12 prepare for flu season
Pantex nurse practitioner Tiffany Shadle administers a flu shot during opening day of the annual Flu Clinic.
Pantex and Y-12 employees have been taking advantage of free flu vaccine shots offered at each site in preparation for the upcoming winter months. The practice, which has been an ongoing service for decades at each site, is also good for the community because fewer residents are susceptible to the bug, which means they aren’t spreading it to coworkers, friends or family members.
Nurse Melissa Davis gives the flu vaccine to one of the more than 2,300 employees who took advantage of Y-12's "Flulapalooza."
Pantex Fire Department trains to ensure readiness, personnel safety
Knowing how to enter a burning building filled with smoke while battling a blaze requires continuous training to keep people safe. Pantex Fire Department’s recent training helped personnel stay familiar with their equipment and prepared for emergency situations they may not often see.
Bill Ho-Gland, Pantex Assistant Fire Chief, says the training helps support the site and the surrounding communities that may need Pantex assistance during an emergency. Pantex maintains Memorandums of Understanding with the counties surrounding the Pantex site and renders aid when requested.
Members of the Pantex Fire Department maintain certifications so they are ready to respond to any emergency that arises. This year’s training scenario involved an interior structure fire. The team had to bring the fire under control using effective water application practices, firefighting posture and attack techniques.
The Pantex Fire Department is certified through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) and regularly trains to ensure it meets or exceeds TCFP continuing education requirements. During recent emergency training, members of the department refreshed their training in the use of self-contained breathing apparatus and other personal protective equipment.