Caltrans Maintenance Area Superintendent

Department of Transportation

10/6/2022

Special Service Award (Silver)

On October 6, 2022, Caltrans Maintenance Area Superintendent Cody Collins and Transportation Engineering Technician Jeffrey Scardine were performing their duties as instructors at the Caltrans Bank Scaling and Rock-Climbing Course located near Kingvale, California. At approximately 1:00 p.m., they were alerted by the Lead Instructor of an emergency involving student climber, Kevin Lassiter. Faced with an urgent need to reach Mr. Lassiter in a potentially life-threatening condition, Mr. Scardine quickly climbed the slope and assessed the state of Mr. Lassiter. He provided aid and comfort and rapidly constructed a mechanical advantage system to release the climber from the rope and transfer him to Mr. Collins rope. Mr. Collins quickly ascended to the top of the slope to construct an independent rescue rope and rappelled to Mr. Lassiter. He transferred him to the rescue rope and safely rappelled them both to the ground while controlling the climbing equipment and keeping Mr. Lassiter in a secure position. Mr. Collins and Mr. Scardine’s actions resulted in the successful and swift rescue of the climber who required immediate emergency medical care. A helicopter was called, and he was subsequently air-lifted to the hospital where he underwent successful treatment. The staff at the hospital credited the fast response time as a major reason why they were able to save Mr. Lassiter. Mr. Collins pioneered the use of many of the techniques currently employed in the Caltrans climbing program and is regarded by his peers as a leader and innovator who provides continuous improvement to the program. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Silver Medal of Valor to California Department of Transportation Maintenance Area Superintendent Cody Collins for his act of heroism extending above and beyond the normal call of duty.