RICHLAND -- Rick Torres, an Energy Northwest employee, was honored Monday for potentially saving the life of a little girl about the same age as his own daughters.

He was at a buffet in Las Vegas in July when he saw a girl, about age 2 or 3, choking. Her father was trying to administer the Heimlich maneuver, but Torres could see he was not doing it correctly.

Meanwhile, the little girl was changing color and her eyes were rolling back, said John Dobken, Energy Northwest spokesman.

Torres asked if he could help and after several attempts, a large green grape popped out of the little girl's mouth.

Torres has been part of the Energy Northwest Fire Brigade for 15 years in addition to his regular work as a laborer for Energy Northwest in Richland. But this was the first time he has used his fire brigade training in an emergency.

Torres has two daughters, ages 2 and 3.

Mark Reddemann, Energy Northwest chief executive, gave Torres the CEO Lifesaving Award.