Street Department operators win snow rodeo awards
Through a demonstration of proficiency and safety, three City of Fort Wayne Street Department employees won awards in the Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program Transportation Expo and Snow Plow Rodeo held Sept. 23-24 at the former Grissom Air Force Base.
Representatives from LTAP visited Fort Wayne today to present these Street Department operators with the following awards:
1st place: Single-axel dump truck, Dave Yarman
1st place: Tandem-axel dump truck, Fred Waltenburg
2nd place: Front loader, Tim Schrader
The rodeo concluded the two-day session that also included classroom instruction and training for street and highway departments employees across the state. The timed skills test with a 20 mph speed limit puts the driver through an obstacle course that mimics snow-plowing conditions such as tight-turning radius, plowing along a curb, backing up and serpentine routes.
“Although the idea of a 'snow plow rodeo' in September sounds like a novelty, these awards demonstrate how our Street Department employees are well trained and demonstrate their proficiency and professionalism when tested,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “Congratulations to Dave, Fred and Tim for their awards. Fort Wayne residents should feel confident that all Street Department operators are prepared to handle equipment safely and effectively. That translates into an efficient use of City resources.”
LTAP is a program of the Purdue Civil Engineering Department and the Federal Highway Administration. LTAP provides improved access to highway technology to local highway agencies to meet the growing demands placed on local roads, bridges and public transportation.