Both Berwick Electric Co. (BEC) and the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region have been integral parts of the local community for decades, and BEC has the privilege of offering an annual scholarship to one worthy high school senior who is involved with the YMCA. We recently had the honor of awarding this year’s YMCA James D. Berwick Scholarship program recipient, Kaylee Marquez, with the much-deserved award.
A 2014 graduate of Palmer High School, Kaylee plans to major in criminal justice at The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in the fall. She has been a member of the YMCA since she was 11 years-old, and she became a YMCA lifeguard in April 2012. “I have gained valuable life experience during my time at the Y,” Kaylee explained. “I always enjoyed the programs and the friendly atmosphere that the YMCA presented. I have also learned valuable lessons such as the importance of patience, acceptance, caring, teamwork, leadership and responsibility.”
Palmer High School graduate Kaylee Marquez
receives the 2014 YMCA James D. Berwick Scholarship.
Kaylee’s involvement with the YMCA has given her the opportunity to work with people from a variety of backgrounds. The YMCA’s partnership with the Deaf and Blind School provided Kaylee with the opportunity to work with this population, influencing her decision to minor in American Sign Language.
The YMCA provides an excellent environment for youth development. We are pleased to award Kaylee with this year’s YMCA James D. Berwick Scholarship, and we wish her the best of luck with her studies in the fall.
After over a year of hard work on the new Veterans Affairs Clinic, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took possession of their new clinic, owned by US Federal Properties, on June 12. Located at the corner of Centennial Boulevard and Fillmore Street in Colorado Springs, Colo., the 96,000 square-foot clinic, with a maximum occupancy of 1,322, is set to open for services in mid-August. With the clinic’s opening, veterans can expect state-of-the-art medical care set against awe-inspiring views of Pikes Peak; the famous peak is framed by the clinic’s elevator lobby atrium.
Berwick Electric Co. (BEC) is proud of its involvement in installing the variety of electrical, data communications, life safety and security systems associated with the new clinic. Those who have given so much for our country will have access to radiology/biomedical, counseling, behavioral health, rehabilitation, physical therapy, optometry, audiology, dental and pharmaceutical services. “There were a lot of additions to the project, and yet we were able to finish on time with no added delays,” Jacobsen Construction Superintendent Markel Massey explained.
To help meet the diverse client needs, visitors will check in at one of six kiosk units in the main lobby. From there, they will be directed to the appropriate services area of the building; each suite has its own reception and waiting area.
All of this activity will be supported by a 3,000 amp 277/480 volt electrical service, including nine electrical rooms, an emergency generator for the smoke evacuation system, mechanical equipment and a sophisticated lighting control system, as well as other electrically-related items. The electrical service will also support the radiology suite, which includes three x-ray rooms, MRI, CT, and mammography equipment and site lighting.
For the majority of the project, BEC General Foreman John Travers oversaw a very challenging, on-site electrical installation. Great thanks go to BEC General Foremen Dale Butterfield and Dylan Alley, who contributed detailed technical systems support and finished the project when John was pulled to start another project at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. Throughout various stages of the project, BEC Foremen Ryan Hurless and Eric Norman provided additional supervision and support. Several other key members of the installation included BEC Electricians Glenn Kapu, Matt Hall, Travis Smith, Amber Weems, Roger Ross, Lynn Cleveland, Jonathan Fugate, Dan Sternthal, Tony Pisaneschi, Brian Miller, Brian Riggs, Collan Krzywonski, Zach Williams, Nathaniel Cinocco, Josh Rincones, Tyler Patzner, Michael Fernandez and Paul Heinzen.
The VA Clinic’s data communications system is supported by six large data communications (DataComm) rooms that boast extensive copper and fiber cabling. BEC’s DataComm Division team, led by Shane Gebbink and Paul Brumley, did an excellent job overseeing the installation. BEC DataComm Technicians Anita Ternyak, Ken Brumley, Wade Sims and Tyler Lundgren completed installation work that is said to be the best and neatest designs that the VA Information Technology professionals have ever seen.
BEC Electrician Tobi Collins spearheaded the installation of the fire alarm system, as well as the integration of the sophisticated smoke evacuation system. The smoke evacuation system, which is controlled by the fire alarm system, proved to be a challenge to install. Controlled by the fire alarm system, the smoke evacuation system is also integrated with the mechanical, door security, and door operator systems; it's quite a sophisticated system.
BEC’s contract also included security systems, mostly subcontracted by BW Systems. The installation included access control, motion intrusion detection, hardwired duress, wireless duress and a few select, monitored area security cameras. “System pathways and power connections could not have been better; their (BEC’s) attention to detail is phenomenal,” Steve Cress of BW Systems explained. “This challenging project was made much more manageable due to the excellent leadership and quality work provided by Berwick Electric Co. The Colorado Springs VA Clinic project required a tremendous amount of up-front and ongoing engineering to provide systems that would integrate with the primary head-end system located at the Denver VA facility,” he added. “As the team leader, Berwick coordinated the much-needed customer meetings to flesh out the details of the installation to provide optimum system integrity.”
BEC is proud of the excellent work contributed by its general foremen, foremen, electricians and DataComm employees. BEC looks forward to the benefit that the VA Clinic will provide for the community; those who have served and sacrificed so much for our country deserve the best.
We invite you to take a peek at more of the new clinic by clicking play on the slideshow below.
Berwick Electric Co. is pleased to salute this month's public safety employees - Fire Fighter Eric Riker and Paramedic Jason Veit of the Colorado Springs Fire Department. These men responded to flooding near a local drainage area, and rescued two young ladies trapped in a car. Thank you for the selfless service you both provide!
So you thought electricity was boring? Whether or not electricity is your “thing”, these TED Talks are sure to interest you. From nano-electric power generation, to using electric fields to fight cancer, these ideas are truly remarkable.
TED Talks feature ideas worth spreading.
TED is a non-profit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. Their goal is to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation. Check out the TED Talks below, and be inspired. And better yet, share them with others.
The Future of Nano-Electric Power Generation TED introduces this video by saying, “What would happen if we could generate power from our windowpanes? Nano-electric power generation is based on mastering the electron to create power. Click here to watch.
Using Electricity to Treat Cancer - Tumor Treating Fields An electric field is a field of forces that act on and attract bodies that have an electric charge. Learn about how Novocure is researching ways to utilize electric fields in the battle against cancer. Click here to watch.
The Missing Link to Renewable Energy Donald Sadoway, a materials engineer, is working on large-scale batteries that can store renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Click here to watch.
For special needs individuals and their families, Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center (CSTRC) is like a bright light. Located at Mark Reyner Stables in Colorado Springs, CSTRC opened in 2008 to provide therapeutic riding for individuals with special needs. These individuals may be living with physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and learning challenges related to various forms of trauma, developmental delays, autism, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, batons disease and cancer.
“Mark Reyner stables has been a part of the local community since 1954, and my husband and I have owned it since 1975,” CSTRC CEO Nancy Harrison said. “We’ve always worked with special needs individuals, but we wanted to do more. So we opened CSTRC. We started with three people, and now we work with around 100.” BEC is proud to partner with CSTRC, and we invite you to learn more about this wonderful organization below.
Hippotherapy: A Healing Bond
CSTRC’s primary goal is to provide equine-assisted therapy for people with special needs. “In hippotherapy, the horses are a powerful tool,” Nancy explained. “We also move those in therapy toward the goal of being able to ride a horse independently.”
Hippotherapy consists of three main steps. First, those in therapy work with an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, or a speech therapist, and then the therapist uses the horse to do the therapy. Next, the rider moves into therapeutic riding, taught by instructors who are certified in working with special needs individuals. The final goal is to get the rider to ride independently, while continuing to develop core strength, eye coordination, color recognition and memorization. After learning how to ride independently, the rider’s next step is to take lessons with others who are able-bodied.
“The bond that both children and adults develop with the horses is incredible, because the horses don’t judge them,” Nancy said. “We have one horse that, prior to working with a child who has Down syndrome, was never very social. The horse really connected with this child, and would come trotting over to the gate in response to this child. It was really something! The horses can tell who is on their backs.”
In addition to connecting with the horses, riders also gain physical benefits from hippotherapy. “Riding a horse is the closest thing to walking for those in wheel chairs,” Nancy explained. “The motion of the horse walking creates a neural pathway in the brain that assists in learning to walk,” she added. “The horse is more than just a buddy; it also helps those with special needs to develop physically in ways that they might not otherwise develop.”
Community Minded
CSTRC has proven to be an important part of the local community. “We partner with the Down Syndrome Association, and they send us children who need therapy. We also work with the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, homeless groups, as well as other groups,” Nancy said. “We also have teens from a local, alternative high school who volunteer to help clear horse pens every week. It’s great for helping these teens to build self-esteem. We are pleased to be able to help the local community.”
CSTRC largely relies on volunteers to help sustain its work in the local community. “We need three people per rider, especially when they first begin riding,” Nancy explained. “We hold quarterly trainings, but that doesn’t mean that those interested in volunteering have to wait. We’ll pair them with a seasoned volunteer so that they can shadow and learn that way. Then, they can complete the next available major training. The volunteers genuinely enjoy working with the riders!”
To learn more about CSTRC, or how you can volunteer, click here.
For Berwick Electric Co. (BEC) Safety Manager Bill Tuten, trust is the glue of a great safety program. Because people and relationships are the backbone of any organization, a work environment that cultivates genuine trust tends to be more successful than a culture based on empty rules and regulations. And this philosophy holds water for the employees at BEC, who earlier this year reached a major safety milestone: eight years without a lost-time injury. Keep reading below to learn more about the electrical contractor's unique safety program.
BEC Safety Manager Bill Tuten
A Milestone Worth Mentioning
BEC’s last lost-time injury was eight years ago this April, which is quite a remarkable feat for any company. “Whether you’re in manufacturing, electrical contracting, or construction, that length of time is quite an accomplishment,” Bill remarked. “What all that time really amounts to is a reduction in human suffering.”
On a personal level, a lost-time injury not only affects the worker, but the worker’s family as well. “If the injured worker is the primary bread-winner of the family, the overall welfare and livelihood of that family suffers as well,” Bill explained. “A lost-time injury can throw an entire family into emergency mode. We want to reduce the chances of that happening as much as possible.”
A weak safety record would limit BEC’s ability to perform great work. “If we had a poor safety record, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to bid a lot of the work that we do,” Bill said. “A strong safety record allows the company to be more competitive, which in turn enables BEC to provide great benefits to its employees.”
A People-Based Safety Philosophy
BEC works to incorporate safety into its way of life. To make this happen, Bill maintains, both attitude and behavior have to work in tandem with one another. “It’s vital that every individual in the company buys into the importance of overall personal safety. If people only practice safe behavior while the safety manager is onsite, the safety program simply isn’t going to work,” Bill explained. “However, if workers take pride in safety and embrace an attitude that safety is important, safety is going to be evident in their work. Correct behavior without the correct attitude simply won’t get you very far in the long run.”
Additionally, BEC makes a concerted effort to treat its employees with dignity and respect. In turn, this helps keep morale high, and employees are more likely to give back and adhere to safety standards. “Creating a culture of safety is a team effort. People have to develop trust with the safety manager and each other,” Bill emphasized. “I try to coach the staff on how to make their environment safe. It’s not about intimidating each other; it’s about being a team and helping the company to flourish.”
An Average Day as a Safety Manager
Jobsite safety is a top priority at BEC.
Bill came to his safety career after spending a lot of time in other related fields. After starting out in manufacturing and then moving to environmental clean-up, Bill moved into construction and eventually into contracting. The time spent in other fields proved to be helpful to his current position. “One of the most important things I’ve learned as a safety manager is that safety is safety no matter where you are. There are inherent risks that copy themselves from one type of business to another,” Bill said. “I’ve really taken that to heart, so an ‘average’ day for me varies. A lot of my job is staying educated on new regulations and legislation. I also spend a lot of time at jobsites, as well as networking with other safety professionals.”
In the same way that no two days are alike as a safety manager, Bill emphasizes the fact that there is no single key to safety. “There are a variety of approaches to safety that are successful. Because people and cultures change over time, you have to continue to try and do new things,” Bill said. “The one thing that never goes out of style, though, is trust. That is the common denominator of a great safety program.”
At Berwick Electric Co. (BEC), crafting affordable solutions that fit each client’s unique needs is more than just a priority - it’s a way of life. And when it comes to design-build (DB) and design-assist (DA) projects, BEC specializes in doing exactly this. Whether you’re a healthcare facility or an office space, our commercial and large contract clients have come to expect practical designs at realistic, long-term costs. Keep reading below to learn more about how BEC shines in the areas of DB and DA.
Design-Build & Design-Assist: What’s the Difference?
BEC specializes in practical DB & DA solutions.
Although DB and DA have many similarities, there are a few important distinctions. In DA, the project owner hires the engineer, and BEC assists the engineer in the design of the overall project. DB, on the other hand, is where BEC hires the engineer. In this scenario, BEC has more control over the overall design. BEC works closely with the engineer, recommending practical adjustments in order to get cost-effective results.
“To provide a small-scale example of DB, BEC’s service department completes a lot of small ‘DB’ projects every day,” Senior Estimator Waldo Pendleton explained. “Customers call in with a problem, and we design and provide the best solutions from which they can choose.”
History & Experience Matter
Before choosing an electrical contractor for a DB or DA project, it’s important to consider history and experience. “The overall success of a project is connected with the final cost of the job,” Waldo said. “Though plans may look good on paper, it’s important to make sure that those plans are also cost-effective and work on the installation end,” he added. “BEC’s longevity in the field is largely based on our consistency in these areas.”
One thing that sets BEC apart is the practice of providing detailed quotes from the start. “Rather than providing a price based on square-footage alone, BEC provides a much more comprehensive quote,” Waldo said. “We’ll actually create a one-line diagram for a customer and get accurate pricing to the best of our ability -- even down to specific light fixtures in most cases.” Since budget is a major component of projects, BEC’s precise pricing, from the get-go, helps customers plan accordingly.
The success of both DB and DA projects boils down to exceeding the customer’s expectations, and this is BEC’s track record.
For 93 years, Berwick Electric Co. (BEC) has built and maintained a strong reputation for excellence; your electrical needs are our specialty. Clients can expect professionalism, integrity and safety from BEC’s staff and electricians. To get to know our service department a little better, we invite you to watch the video below.
Need commercial or residential electrical work? Let BEC surpass your expectations! Call us at (719) 632-7683 or contact us online here for electrical service. We look forward to serving you!
With warmer weather just around the corner, keeping children safe at outdoor parties and amusement parks is important. According to a study* from Ryerson University, children may be more likely to incur injuries from inflatable “bounce houses” than from mechanical amusement park rides.
Using 2010 data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, researchers examined amusement park injuries and found a total of 476 cases among a network of 100 hospitals, which translates to 13,770 such injuries across the U.S. Bounce houses and other inflatables accounted for 42 percent of amusement park injuries, followed by roller coasters and bumper cars. More than one half of bounce house injuries involved children 15 years-old or younger.
To learn more about keeping your family safe this spring and summer, click on the safety tips in the gallery below. Have any other safety tips for bounce houses? We encourage you to share them in the comments box below.
*The study was published in the February 2014 issue of the Journal Safety Science.
Nature is not only beautiful, but studies show that it can also aid healing. Soon, veterans and active duty troops will be able to take in the gorgeous sights of Pikes Peak while receiving state-of-the-art medical care at the new Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The new VA Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo., is set to open in June.
Since its foundation work began in early 2013, the new VA Clinic has come quite a long way. With the exterior of the building complete, the final details are coming together. “Working under Jacobsen Construction on this project has been a great opportunity,” Project Manager Mark Norman said. “John Travers, Dale Butterfield, Dylan Alley, and Ryan Hurless are leading the power and lighting installation.” They, alongside their crews, are working diligently to finish the project.
Various jobs are wrapping up as the facility nears completion. “This project is coming together quickly, and a large portion of our electrical scope at the VA Clinic is winding down within the next month,” Mark explained. “Permanent power was established in mid-February, and the trim work is currently taking place. At the start of March, mechanical commissioning is scheduled to start.”
Additionally, the telecomm cabling is well under way, and the communications rooms are coming together. “Shane Gebbink’s (BEC datacomm manager) men, led by Paul Brumley, are doing a great job,” Mark commented.
Tobi Collins (part of Dale Butterfield’s crew), is leading the fire alarm installation. This unique system includes the integration of the smoke evacuation system with the fire alarm, access control, door operators, and some mechanical fans. “Owner training is set to take place in late May, and the final turnover is planned for mid-June,” Mark said.
Once the facility is turned over and opens, it will support nearly 72,000 veterans and 50,000 active-duty troops who live in El Paso County. The clinic will offer health services such as CT scans, lab work and other diagnostic services, as well as mental health care and treatment for traumatic brain injuries.
Berwick Electric Co. is proud of each individual’s dedication and hard work on this project!
