Pantex Blog

By Candice Copelin —
Take five minutes to learn about Debra Wiseman, janitorial custodian. This article details Wiseman's 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.
When Debra Wiseman is asked about a time during her career at Pantex when she felt like she was thriving, she quickly responded, “I thrive every day.” This spirit is something she has carried with her throughout her 41–year career at Pantex.

Wiseman started at Pantex on April 26, 1982—when her son was just five weeks old. Like many employees who have been around a while, Wiseman has seen many changes at the plant, including numerous transitions between management and operating contractors, and has continued to remain positive about each one.

“If you want to know about the history of Pantex, it's change,” she said.

Wiseman has ridden the waves of change in her position, like a switch to nights during the pandemic, but she says the changes make her value the people she works with even more. “You should find a way to work with people,” she said. “Learn to be merciful. Learn to be kind. Because down the road you'll need it too. That comes with age and wisdom.”
She shares that wisdom with not only her co–workers, but with people around the plant. Now that she is approaching retirement in December, people are starting to share just how much her kind and giving spirit has affected them—much to her surprise.

“It's a melting pot out here. There are so many personalities out here, and you have to meet them where they are,” she said. “It is just in me, probably from the church, to help those in need. If someone needs you, you help them. I've had people from one of the shops tell me, ‘I want you to know, before you leave, that seeing your smile got me out of a depression. Your positive attitude helped me today.' I had no idea.”

The impact that Wiseman has made on Pantex comes not only from her need to help others, but the pride that she takes in doing a good job.

“I've cleaned every building on this plant besides the JCDC,” Wiseman said. “It takes everybody to make this place run. I try to encourage everyone to take ownership over what we do.”

What motivates you to be successful?

My motivation is to get things done right. I don't know how to slack on a job. I learned that from my parents. I learned that at six years old. I instilled that in my kids.

What advice would you give a new person in your position?

You have to be willing to work. At the end of the day when your boss is looking around at what you did, they ask ‘what did you do?' You don't want to be the one that hasn't done anything. I tell them to be accountable.

Reflecting on these last 41 years, what is it that you want to remember?

Gratefulness. It's been a pleasure and a great opportunity to work at a place where you can advance if you want to. I'm too blessed not to be grateful.

Any final thoughts?

For my sanity, I don't put myself in positions where I am stressed out—and if I end up there, it's not for long. You have to be happy, because if you are happy, you will do a good job. Stressing or being upset is when you miss things. I don't want to live my life angry. I want to be grateful. I'm grateful to be here and thankful for the opportunity to be at such a fine place to work. We are doing business for our country. What an honor. Let's treat it as such. We need to go above and beyond.

Pantex Fire Department trains on use of LUCAS chest compression devices

The Pantex Fire Department has added a new member to its ranks – LUCAS.

Who is LUCAS? It’s more of a what…

LUCAS, which stands for Lund University Cardiac Assist System, is a mechanical chest compression device now on each of the three ambulances at Pantex. LUCAS is another tool used to help increase the chance of survival in cardiac arrest patients thanks to its automated and synchronized compressions. Stryker Medical, the company that created the device, says they chose to personify the name because LUCAS is more than a piece of equipment, it’s a member of the life-saving team.

Pantex Fire Department Captain Jeremy Baker says LUCAS limits interruptions during manual chest compression, which increases the patient’s chances of survival. Data shows LUCAS increases blood flow to the brain by 60% versus manual CPR.

“LUCAS mechanically applies force to the sternum to compress the heart which helps restore blood circulation while allowing first responders the ability to render other aid,” Baker said. “Better blood circulation to the brain means the patient has a better chance of recovering without deficits.”

LUCAS also increases first responder safety. According to Baker, 30-40% of patients who regain a pulse on scene will rearrest prior to arriving at the hospital, some during transport.

“This requires Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers to be unrestrained and standing in a vehicle to perform CPR compressions,” Baker said. “We all understand the importance of being restrained when inside a vehicle. Having LUCAS allows emergency services to be seated and buckled rather than standing while providing compressions to patients.”

According to the LUCAS website, unrestrained occupants are 6.5 times more likely to be severely injured and 3.8 times more likely to be killed in the 4,500 ambulance crashes that occur each year.

Baker says 58 Pantex firefighters and paramedics are trained on how to use LUCAS devices.

“This is a big step in our continued effort to provide the highest-quality care to the patients we encounter while helping to ensure the safety of our firefighters,” Baker said.

Patients at Pantex and surrounding communities will all benefit from the new technology.

“At Pantex, we are lucky to work closely with our mutual aid partners, including Panhandle, Claude, and Washburn, just to name a few,” Baker said. “We depend on the help of our mutual aid departments as much as they depend on ours. Since we have personnel staffed and ready to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, these partner agencies will contact us to respond when we have a faster response time or when their departments are on other calls or require additional assistance such as additional ambulances, fire apparatus, or personnel.”

Pantex Emergency Services responded to 133 EMS calls for service in 2023. Fifty-seven of those calls were mutual aid requests from neighboring communities.

“The people who live in these communities are fellow Pantexans, friends, or family members,” Baker said.

The device is set up prior to use following the American Heart Association guidelines for CPR compression rate of 100- 120 beats per minute. Baker said if performed immediately, CPR can double or triple the chance of survival. But, he added, CPR is a very labor-intensive process that quickly tires responders which can affect quality, which is a big advantage LUCAS has over traditional manual care.

“This device is a great addition to our service, but survival from cardiac arrest is dependent on a team approach based on the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival,” Baker said. “We encourage people to stop a firefighter and ask us questions about performing CPR when you see us around plant site.”

Baker recommends finding a local CPR course to learn what to do when witnessing a victim in cardiac arrest.

“EMS is only one link in the Chain of Survival,” Baker said. “When we work together, we can improve patient outcomes.”