Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) announced today that Executive Assistant Kim Rill has been awarded the Northwest Public Power Association Safety Heroism Award by the Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA). The award was presented during the 2026 NWPPA Engineering & Operations Conference held in Portland on April 16.
Rill was recognized for her decisive and courageous actions while traveling through Echo, Ore. She observed heavy smoke coming from the roof of a nearby residence and chose to stop and investigate. Upon approaching the home and speaking with the occupants, Rill discovered they were unaware their house was on fire. With smoke already accumulating inside, the situation posed an immediate and serious danger.
Rill contacted emergency services and alerted the homeowners to the severity of the situation while urging them to evacuate the residence without delay. Thanks to her quick thinking and composed response, the residents safely exited the home. Fire crews responded promptly and worked to contain and extinguish the fire.
“Kim’s actions reflect the highest standards of awareness, courage, and commitment to the well-being of others,” said Cole Bode, vice president of engineering at UEC. “Her willingness to step in during a critical moment, without hesitation and without expectation of recognition, made a life-saving difference.”
In addition to this individual honor, UEC received second place in the NWPPA Safety Award, which recognizes public power utilities demonstrating outstanding commitment to workplace safety. The award is based on safety performance metrics, including total injury and illness incidence rates for 2025.
“This recognition reflects the culture of safety we prioritize across our entire organization,” shared Kevin Knutz, manager of operations at UEC. “Our employees are committed not only to powering our communities, but to protecting one another and the public through safe, responsible practices every day.”
The Northwest Public Power Association represents more than 150 public and consumer-owned utilities across the Northwest, supporting reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric service.