>There are three training programs designed to help public agencies develop environmentally friendly snow and ice control programs:
Minnesota DOT’s Salt Solutions Program, which includes a Winter Chemical Certification (anti-icers and deicers including additives).
- American Public Works Association’s (APWA) Winter Maintenance Supervisor (WMS) Certificate, which is available in a workshop on the first day of the association’s annual North American Snow Conference.
- McHenry County, Ill., health, transportation, and water resources departments’ Winter Snow and Ice Workshop. At the end of the day-long program, the attendees may receive Level 1 Certification: Snow and Ice Best Management Practices and also up to six professional development hours (PDH).
The latter class, which I help teach, came about from former county DOT Maintenance Superintendent Mark DeVries, who’s active in the local and national APWA.
It occurred to us that equipment operators must be certified to spray pesticides and flaggers require training, to name a few of the public works jobs for which specialized education is required. Why not for applying a chemical that can damage the environment?
The workshop theme says it best: We need to manage ourselves before someone manages us.
Next Page: In-depth education for only $25
