Thread by @seankershaw

The DPW has a CDL class B w air brake certificate. Last fall I went through Snow Plow Operator Training (SPOT) with our new drivers. I obtained my commercial drivers license (CDL) in Nov, & I got my first chance plowing snow this past Friday. (See pics.) Long 🧵 1/

Why? I began the job knowing how important all the work is, but not knowing the details of how it happens. I’ve tried to learn as much as I can to support our workers, & to build public support for their work throughout the city. (I love all the work, so this isn’t a burden.) 2/

Experiencing street maintenance work & talking with drivers/supervisors also helps us to know how to do the work better. Snow plowing is one of the most visible functions in Public Works. It involves all City departments, & we treat it like an ‘enterprise’. 3/

What have I learned? First, it’s difficult. Studying to get the permit and learning everything that goes into the pre-trip exam is a lot. I didn’t know anything about trucks when I started this. I failed my first air brake certification test. 4/

It takes physical coordination. Maneuvering a 26,000 single axle (one of our small trucks) through traffic, & around parked cars, takes a lot of attention & an awareness of where things are, even when you can’t see them. 5/

You can’t see where the plow is at the curb. You can only ‘feel’ it. I got better at knowing when I was on the curb. I admit that I took out an old piece of broken curb in the process. But Gunner, the experienced driver that rode with me, was patient & really helpful. 6/

Knowing where to move the snow when you get to intersections, & how you maneuver the plow blade when you make right & left hand turns in traffic, takes time. It’s 17’ from the driver to the left tip of the plow when it’s fully extended! You’re driving a 12’ can-opener. 7/

In addition to the normal controls of any truck, you have joysticks for the plow operation & buttons/controls for the salt spreader. I’m not a gamer, but I imagine the experience is similar. 8/

Our drivers are some of the most adamant about minimizing salt use. Many fish, and know what it does to lakes/rivers. It’s also expensive. 9/

City plowing: It’s 10x more difficult to plow in an urban area, especially when people don’t move their cars when they are supposed to. In SPOT the drivers from the suburbs said they were glad they didn’t have to plow in the two major cities. 10/

Moving snow to the boulevard is SO satisfying. Our drivers talk about how rewarding, & tiring, snow emergencies are. The truck bounces around a lot, & you have to be alert 100% of the time. I’ve gained skills for normal driving because through this experience. 11/

And yes, part of the reason is to build a connection with our drivers. It’s helped me to understand the importance of training & the realities of their work as we recruit new drivers & focus on building a better culture in Street Maintenance. I have huge respect for them. 12/

And finally…it’s super fun. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a blast to do this. Ten-year old me would have never thought this was possible. Putting the plow down & moving snow for the first time was fantastic. 13/

The team cares a lot about making streets safe, whether it’s plowing or patching or sweeping. Move your cars, stay out of their way, and wave to them when you can! We’re hiring too. Come work for us in @stpaulpublicw! 14/14 governmentjobs.com/careers/stpaul
stpaul.mn.us/snow