Meridian Waste Blue Ridge Staff Saves Teammate's Life

Christiansburg, Va.  – Meridian Waste has announced the presentation of the company’s Life Saver Award to four employees at the Blue Ridge Hauling location, 205 Scattergood Drive in Christiansburg, VA.

The individuals include Kevin Sluss, Operations Manager; Teddy Hollins, Shop Technician; Andrea Altis, Sales Manager, and Katy Barkley, Customer Service Representative. 

On Tuesday, March 7, Travis Cook, Lead Shop Technician, was accepting a shipment of truck tires when he suffered a massive heart attack with no warning. Fortunately, team member Teddy Hollins was present and immediately went to Cook’s side to assess the situation.  Upon determining the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, Sluss implemented emergency measures and communication processes while Ashleigh Garnes, General Manager, called 911. During this time, Barkley and Altis administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) .

Fortunately, local emergency medical service (EMS) professionals were onsite in six minutes. They performed life saving measures including intubation, defibrillation, and advanced cardiac life support. Cook is in stable condition and resting at home following the incident. 

“It’s wonderful that in a time of critical need, how well our team worked together and what we were capable of performing with reaction times and physical strength,” said Garnes. “I am extremely proud of our staff and truly appreciate the commitment each person dedicates to their fellow teammates and to the communities we serve,” she said. “It was remarkable to witness the EMS responders’ skill and adaptability, and we all are so thankful to have Travis with us today. He plans to return to work upon full recovery.”

The awardees will be presented with their Life Saver’s Certificate and $100 gift cards during the March safety meeting with recognition from their peers.   

About Meridian Waste

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Meridian Waste is a company defined by its commitment to servicing its customers, caring for and engaging its employees, and generating financial value for its shareholders while delivering a clean and healthy community. The company’s core waste business is centered on residential, commercial, and industrial non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal. Currently, the company operates in Northeast Fla., St. Louis, Mo., Raleigh, N.C., Goldston, N.C., Greenville, S.C., Knoxville, Tenn., Blacksburg, Va., Harrisonburg, Va., and Richmond, Va. servicing more than 203,913 residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers. In addition to a fleet of commercial, residential, and roll-off trucks, the company operates 13 hauling companies, eight transfer stations/materials recycling facilities (MRFs), two municipal solid waste landfills, and three C&D landfills in which 936,229 tons of waste are safely disposed of annually. For more information, visit MeridianWaste.com.