McALESTER, Okla. -- A production machinery mechanic at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant has received the U.S. Army Safety Guardian Award for pulling three coworkers from a burning structure to safety.
Wayland W. Brown Jr., who works in the Engineering Support Division of the Directorate of Engineering and Public Works, was presented the award virtually by Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French, commanding general, Joint Munitions Command, during a quarterly safety video teleconference, May 29.
The award was issued by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center to individuals who, through extraordinary action in an emergency, prevent an imminently dangerous situation, prevent injury to personnel, or minimize or prevent damage to Army property.
"Wayland, congratulations on this very prestigious award and job well done," French said after the citation was read at MCAAP. "I'm glad we were able to present it to you virtually and have all the safety leaders see you receive this award."
Brown was part of a four-man team from the Engineering Support Division performing preventative maintenance and repairs May 3, 2013 on an elevated air pollution abatement system used for capturing aluminum dust generated from mixing plastic bonded explosives.
Lynn Powell had knelt and was using a hammer to dislodge aluminum that had caked around the bottom of the bag house. Kenneth O'Daniel was standing above and behind him holding the socks, while Jeff Jones was cutting the tops of the socks with a box knife to remove the collected aluminum dust.
In the confined space injury mishap report the Safety Office filed, O'Daniel said he saw a spark as the work was being done and noticed the lower half of the enclosed space erupt in flames.
Brown, who was standing outside the bag house opening as the attendant, reached through the flames to pull each of his confined space team co-workers to safety.
"It happened within a few seconds," Brown said. "There was no reaction time. There was no time to think about it.
"I've spent 18 years working on a volunteer fire department and I've worked a lot of wrecks and a lot of accidents. I was on the Murrah Building [that was bombed in Oklahoma City] on the rescue team and I've seen a lot of stuff and [this fire] was the most scared I've ever been in my life."
Powell was transported to the McAlester Regional Health Center emergency room by the MCAAP Fire Department, where he was treated for burns to his lower legs and hand, resulting in a lost time injury. Brown suffered a strained back and was put on light duty status.
Kristi Inman, MCAAP safety and occupational health specialist, said Brown is an exemplary safety steward.
"He's always been an important part of the safety steward program striving for excellence here at MCAAP," she said. "Everyone here knows safety, but the difference is that he believes in safety. That is the culture we constantly strive for."
Brown gave credit for his quick actions to his late father-in-law, who retired from MCAAP as a safety specialist in 2006.
"I feel like my father-in-law -- Buddy Brummett who passed away a year ago -- was standing behind me and helping me do what I needed to do," he said. "He's kind of like my guardian angel. So with him and God having my back, I felt pretty good."
In addition to the Army award, Brown also received a large frame with a copy of the Safety Guardian Award signed by Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Edens, director of Army safety and commanding general, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center, star notes from Gen. Dennis L. Via, commanding general, Army Materiel Command, and Brig. Gen. French, and the MCAAP coins.
"It's overwhelming," Brown said about the award. "I'm just glad God put me in that place to be able to do it."
McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is the Department of Defense's premier bomb and warhead loading facility, and is one of 14 industrial facilities in the Joint Munitions Command. It is vital to ammunition stockpile management and delivery to the joint servicemember for training and combat operations.
Social Sharing