New MnDOT snowplow operators begin training for winter Aug. 17 in Rochester
ROCHESTER, Minn. – New Minnesota Department of Transportation snowplow operators in southeast Minnesota start their classroom and behind-the-wheel training Aug. 17 in Rochester.
MnDOT’s focus on safety and preparation for snow and ice season begins long before the first snowflakes fly.
The 17 new operators will go through an Aug. 17-27 training session in Rochester that mixes classroom instruction and discussions with over-the-road driving and safety maneuvers on a closed course at MnDOT.
“Our snowplow operators are the heart and soul of our winter operations,” said Drew Fischbach, District 6’s east maintenance superintendent. “Getting them behind the wheel and paired with experienced, safety-focused supervisors and trainers is an important step to continue building that safety mindset in how to operate the equipment and be as effective as possible on the snowy highways.”
The sessions help the snowplow operators understand how to effectively use tools and technology in the trucks to guide their use and application of salt and brine. They’ll also gain instruction and experience maneuvering the trucks with their plow blades through turning movements, curves and backing up on coned courses.
“We have operators with decades of snowplow experience and others who are fairly new to our operation, but they’ve all gone through this training, which helps establish the expectations for safety and refine and improve their skills,” said Joe Fieseler, District 6’s west maintenance supervisor.
In MnDOT’s 11-county southeast Minnesota district there are more than 200 snowplow operators, who operate 101 snowplows on 3,698 lane miles of state highway in southeast Minnesota.
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