BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Safety Council (NDSC) recently recognized individuals who are champions for safety in their workplaces and their communities at the 2018 Ceremony of Champions.

“We are honored to recognize these award winners,” says Chuck Clairmont, NDSC Executive Director. “They embody our mission of saving lives and preventing injuries and show true commitment to their safety and the safety of their families, coworkers and communities.”

The most prestigious of the NDSC’s awards, the Duane Kuehn Outstanding Safety Professional, was presented to Eric Hegstrom (Fordville) of Northern Plains Railroad. This award is presented annually to an individual who has been instrumental in the development and implementation of safety programs that increase the safety of their organization or community.

The NDSC’s Lifesaver Award is presented annually to individuals who have acted above and beyond the call of duty to assist or rescue another individual. The following people were nominated and recognized at the ceremony for their heroic actions: Catherine Lein (Jamestown), Richard Eversvik (New Rockford), Patrick Johnson (Bismarck), and Edward Nelson (Williston).

Lein of Jamestown was awarded after her lifesaving CPR saved the life of a man who had fallen down at the steps at the Jamestown Fort earlier this year.