Public Works

Public Works Blog

GIS tech creates emergency incidents map for wildfire response

Posted On: October 01, 2021

Weekend county snowplow operations differ from weekday operations

Chelan County Public Works GIS technician Lori Beidler will be honored in October by the Washington Chapter of the American Public Works Association for an interactive map she designed to aid in wildfire evacuation notification.

A county employee for 13 years, Beidler is receiving the Empowering Teams Award, which recognizes public works teams harnessing new technologies to accomplish tasks more efficiently.

Beidler, who is also the addressing coordinator for public works, was instrumental in using GIS technology to build an interactive map that is used in emergency situations. In working with RiverCom and Chelan County Emergency Management on emergency response to wildfires, Beidler created the Chelan County Emergency Incident Map this summer.

The online map provides consistent, real-time updates of road closures, evacuations and structure counts that are essential during wildfire season. It allows homeowners to put in their address and see if their property is in an evacuation area, and what level of evacuation they are on. It also shows road closures.

For emergency responders, the online map gives them an accurate number of how many structures and homes are in an evacuation area – and where those homes are. Beidler also has worked with incident response teams on post-fire mapping.

The map was used heavily for the Twenty-Five Mile and the Rooster Comb fires this summer. At the end of September, it had 235,559 hits.

“Lori works closely with our 911 dispatch agency and Chelan County Emergency Management,” said Eric Pierson, Chelan County Public Works director/county engineer. “She is viewed by local emergency services as an asset in her field and is called upon for help in many ways. Oftentimes, she has stepped in during nonwork hours to update the emergency incident map for the public and emergency responders.”

Beidler will receive the award at the APWA chapter meeting Oct. 14 in Yakima.


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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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CCPW operators respond to cyclist in need of help

Posted On: April 12, 2021


CCPW operators respond to cyclist in need of help

Chelan County Public Works operators Earl Griffith and Curtis McClellan were in the right place at the right time when they came upon a stranded bicyc...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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?...

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Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 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
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Planning Commission - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 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
  • 04
    Dec 2024
    09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Hearing Examiner - December 4, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or zoom
  • 26
    Nov 2024
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office