Untitled Document

Kindergartners get the feel of snow removall equipment

For the past three months, children in southeast Idaho watched the equipment operate from a distance – throwing plumes of snow from highways and applying blankets of sand, salt and de-icer. The trucks made travel to and from school safer.

Kindergarten children in Pocatello recently got a chance to meet the ITD snow removal equipment and operators in person. District 5 maintenance workers Wayne Curtis, Chris Chapman and Gene Crockett took advantage of a break in winter weather and driving conditions to explain their jobs and show off their trucks.

Children had the opportunity to climb in snowplow trucks, blast the air horn and walk through a tunnel created by the curved snowplow blades.

The district uses the annual “show-me” to familiarize children with ITD, encourage safety around operating equipment and even plant a seed among children about careers with the department.

"The kids had fun,” explains photographer Joan Kley, a D-5 transportation technician-senior and coordinator of the district’s wellness program. “Wayne let them pull the air horn and gave them each an activity book. Hopefully they will remember (the safety message) when they are around snow banks," Kley said.

- - - - -

Photos: Child under the plow is grandson of Joan Kley