Public Works

Public Works Blog

CCPW operators respond to cyclist in need of help

Posted On: April 12, 2021

Weekend county snowplow operations differ from weekday operations

(Photo above: Curtis McClellan, seated, and Earl Griffith were grading on Shady Pass when they came upon a stranded bicyclist having a medical emergency.)

 

In Chelan County, it’s not unthinkable to seek out a country road that climbs above the foothills or snakes its way through a canyon. Many of us like to recreate off these roads for the solace they provide.

But if you suddenly find yourself in an emergency on one of these remote, cell-free roads, it may take a whole lot of luck – or a grader and a big red truck – for help to find its way to you.

Chelan County Public Works operators Earl Griffith and Curtis McClellan were in the right place at the right time recently when they came upon a stranded bicyclist in the midst of a medical emergency. The pair on April 5 was grading on Shady Pass, past Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on Lake Chelan, when they came upon the cyclist.

Griffith, who has been with public works for 15 years, was headed up to the dirt section of the remote roadway in a county grader when he passed the cyclist making his way up the steep road. When Griffith headed back down, where he met McClellan driving a county truck, the two noticed the bicyclist now laying on the side of the road.

“I figured he was resting,” Griffith said.

Waving his yellow safety vest at the men, the cyclist called out that he needed their help. He was experiencing a burning sensation in his chest and numbness in his left arm. He had no way to contact help, as there is no cell service on the pass.

Trained in first aid and CPR, Griffith and McClellan stepped in. McClellan, who has been with public works for five years, immediately called for help on his truck radio. Back in Wenatchee, the road supervisor heard the call come in and made calls to RiverCom and the cyclist’s wife.

It would take about 30 minutes before an ambulance from Chelan was able to reach the group on Shady Pass. In the meantime, Griffith and McClellan watched over the cyclist, ready to intervene with CPR if needed. They asked him questions about his past medical history and for his driver’s license in case the cyclist was to lose consciousness, McClellan said.

“We stayed with him and made sure he was comfortable and warm,” Griffith said.

All crew members at public works complete first aid and CPR training on a bi-annual basis. Crews often see car accidents when working, but this is the first time either Griffith or McClellan has come upon a citizen experiencing a medical emergency. The men agreed that they relied on their training that day on Shady Pass. As for the bicyclist, he was recovering at home.

“Our crews are trained in first aid and CPR for just this kind of situation,” said Kermit McClellan, foreman of the Chelan District. “Their training alerted Earl and Curtis to the seriousness of this issue and their fast action probably saved this gentleman’s life.”


Older Articles

Weekend county snowplow operations differ from weekday operations

Posted On: December 20, 2023

Weekend county snowplow operations differ from weekday operations

On the weekends, our five road districts each have one operator working. That operator is going to be focused on main arterials, or those Priority 1 r...

Read More arrow_forward

Passion for ‘big trucks’ drives O’Brien’s career with Public Works

Posted On: March 30, 2023

Passion for ‘big trucks’ drives O’Brien’s career with Public Works

A long-time passion for big trucks steered Donna O’Brien to Chelan County Public Works 14 years ago. While O’Brien is not the first woman at Chelan Co...

Read More arrow_forward

Weight restrictions: They are coming, so be ready!

Posted On: February 08, 2023


Weight restrictions: They are coming, so be ready!

It’s that time of the year again, when the warming temps may bring temporary weight restrictions on county roads. While we don’t have any restrictions...

Read More arrow_forward

Snow removal policies apply even in an emergency

Posted On: January 19, 2022


Snow removal policies apply even in an emergency

Chelan County is clarifying its snow removal policies with the public after receiving calls from frustrated citizens who were not prepared for the sig...

Read More arrow_forward

Post-wildfire safety measures being put in place near 25-Mile Creek

Posted On: November 22, 2021

Post-wildfire safety measures being put in place near 25-Mile Creek

While the wildland firefighters are now gone, that doesn’t mean work on the Twenty-Five Mile Fire is over. Chelan County has been not only evaluating ...

Read More arrow_forward

GIS tech creates emergency incidents map for wildfire response

Posted On: October 01, 2021

GIS tech creates emergency incidents map for wildfire response

Chelan County Public Works GIS technician Lori Beidler will be honored in October by the Washington Chapter of the American Public Works Association f...

Read More arrow_forward

2021 shaping up to be a busy construction year

Posted On: April 05, 2021


2021 shaping up to be a busy construction year

2021 is shaping up to be an active construction year for Chelan County Public Works. We are headed into the second year of the largest construction pr...

Read More arrow_forward

With river construction comes underwater sound monitoring

Posted On: August 12, 2020

With river construction comes underwater sound monitoring

At the West Cashmere Bridge replacement project, you might get the chance to see an “acoustician” on site when the contractor is driving steel pilings...

Read More arrow_forward

In-water work begins July 15 on West Cashmere Bridge project

Posted On: July 13, 2020

In-water work begins July 15 on West Cashmere Bridge project

With in-water construction related to the West Cashmere Bridge replacement project scheduled to begin July 15, Chelan County reminds recreationists on...

Read More arrow_forward

Will the chip sealing crew be in your area this summer?

Posted On: June 15, 2020

Will the chip sealing crew be in your area this summer?

This year, the county road crew starts chip sealing the week of June 22. Do you know if they'll be on your street?...

Read More arrow_forward

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 08
    Jan 2025
    01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - January 8, 2025

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person at 400 Douglas St.
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Planning Commission - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person
  • 11
    Dec 2024
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on December 11, 2024.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, CM Conference Room 1