Congratulations!!!! On Thursday, a N.C. Department of Transportation employee will be honored for his quick-thinking, life-saving actions during a medical emergency. Richard Dean Griffin, a Madison County Bridge Department employee, will be recognized at the N.C. State Board of Transportation meeting in Raleigh with NCDOTs Extra Mile Award. The award is given to employees who go above and beyond their daily responsibilities. On Nov. 1, Griffin was plowing snow along U.S. 25/70 near Marshall. After clearing the highway, he moved on to Stackhouse Road, a secondary road along his route. While on Stackhouse Road, Griffin was flagged down by an employee of a local power company, bringing his attention to another employee who was dangling from a power pole nearby and suffering from electrical burns. The power company workers couldnt access radio or cell service to call for help. Griffin used his radio to contact another state employee, who then called 911. While waiting for paramedics to arrive, Griffin and the power company employee helped to bring down the injured worker. Griffin wrapped a rope around the base of the power pole to use as an anchor while the injured worker was safely lowered to the ground. Griffin stayed with both men until additional help could arrive. The injured employee was taken to a burn center in Winston-Salem, where he was treated and later released. Griffin was nominated for the Extra Mile Award by Jay Swain, division engineer for NCDOTs Division 13. I feel Deans swift action and safety knowledge are responsible for the positive outcome of this situation, Swain said. He is a true example of what it means to go above and beyond the call of duty. Thursdays monthly Board of Transportation meeting, as well as the Extra Mile Award presentation, will be live-streamed. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. The meeting agenda will appear until the chairman calls the meeting to order.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 04:59:08 +0000