Employees receive award for quickly aiding co-worker in crisis

Two Pittsburgh VA employees received a national 2024 VA Secretary Honor Award in I CARE for quickly aiding a co-worker in crisis.

Joshua Anderson and Daryl Ferguson, Environmental Management Services supervisors and Army Veterans, accepted a team award in the Veterans Health Administration category.

Anderson and Ferguson were listening to recorded messages when they received one from an employee who said they were calling because they were physically harming themselves. The two supervisors, both Army Veterans, immediately notified upper management, contacted police to conduct a health and welfare check and started to make phone calls to the employee.

The employee didn’t answer immediately but picked up on the second call. He advised the two supervisors that his injuries included self-inflicted wounds to the head, face and arms. Anderson kept the employee on the line, calming him while Ferguson spoke with police on a separate call. When police arrived at the employee’s apartment, the distressed employee agreed to go to VA for care.

Credit training on preventing disruptive behaviors

The two men credit their quick reaction not only to their military backgrounds but also to shared experiences navigating personal challenges of their own. They draw on those personal experiences to relate to and connect with Veterans in need.

They also credit their training, which includes classes through VA on preventing and managing disruptive behaviors. Anderson receives behavioral training in his part-time position as a military police platoon sergeant in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

“Take the time to listen and engage. Compassion goes a long way,” said Ferguson. “Compassion is the key.”

Both encourage everyone to take training related to suicide prevention. If the training is online—such as VA’s S.A.V.E. training—they recommend slowing down and absorbing as much as possible. Anderson advises staff or anyone in similar circumstances to pull a co-worker in to assist if possible.

I CARE awards for sustained performance

The annual awards recognize exemplary VA employees for sustained performance or specific acts relative to VA’s core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (I CARE).

The Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board also presented Anderson and Ferguson with a Silver Excellence in Government Service Award in the Heroic Act category. The annual awards recognize outstanding federal employees who work in 24 agencies in western Pennsylvania and north central West Virginia.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, dial 988 – Veterans can then press “1” to reach the VA hotline.