Compassion in Action Award

Candidates of the award must be employees of a MEA member company. All employees from MEA member companies are eligible.

Extraordinary and significant compassionate actions from January 1 to December 31 of the previous year are eligible for nomination. (For example: If submitting data for the 2026 awards, submit data for January 1 – December 31, 2025.)

Individuals performing as members of rescue squads, ambulance teams, or paramedics at the time of life sustaining acts are not eligible for this award.

An MEA member must recommend the candidate for the award.

Nominees must demonstrate one or more of the following:

Lifesaving Actions

• Performed emergency interventions (e.g., CPR, first aid, rescue actions) that directly preserved or protected life.

• Demonstrated rapid, effective decision-making under pressure to reduce harm.

Meritorious Service

• Exhibited initiative or sustained excellence that materially improved safety, service delivery, or team performance.

• Consistently exceeded expectations in ways that positively impact individuals, operations, or community relations.

Nominations should include a narrative describing the action(s), impact, and relevance to organizational values. The narrative can include employee statements, witness statements, newspaper articles, photographs, drawings, etc. that gives full and accurate details of the service.

Nominations are sent to the MEA Board of Directors for final approval. Awards are presented in person at the annual Electric Operations Technical & Leadership Summit, Gas Operations Technical & Leadership Summit, or another pertinent MEA educational event if the recipient is in attendance. If the recipient is unable to attend, the award may be presented by the recipient’s company on MEA’s behalf.