2013
Department of Transportation and Works
Jerry Bowering, Bruce Crocker, David Croke, Edwin Dawe, Ryan Doyle, Glenn Drover, Blair Noel, Rick White, Tony Woodford
Oxford Dictionaries defines resilience as: “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” After persevering through an exceptionally challenging 2013-14 snow clearing season, resilience is clearly a proven quality of the members of the Transportation and Works Bay Roberts Garage Team.
Being one of the harshest winters in recent memory, with an early start, frequent snow falls and heavy accumulations, this winter took a toll on many. This is particularly true for those dedicated individuals who work to keep the Provincial Government’s fleet of snow clearing equipment operating and the highways open to traffic.
The jobs of heavy equipment technicians, welders and automotive service technicians are difficult at the best of times but are much more challenging in winter when equipment is caked with ice, snow, slush and salt. For the Bay Roberts Garage Team, these factors were further complicated by personnel challenges that left the regions’ mechanical staff shorthanded for the entire winter.
With employees off on various types of leave, staff levels at the Birch Hills garage were cut in half and mechanics were off at other depots in the region. The Bay Roberts garage became responsible for approximately 60 pieces of equipment at nine highway depots, instead of the usual seven depots. Their area of responsibility then stretched from Lower Island Cove on the north shore of Conception Bay to Trepassey on the south eastern corner of the Avalon Peninsula. More travel time, and less maintenance and repair time during working hours often meant more time away from home and family.
The Bay Roberts Garage Team truly went above and beyond this winter. Being short staffed, early morning, late evening and weekend call-ins became the norm and sometimes resulted in team members working on equipment outside in stormy weather. Despite their many and difficult challenges, members of the team showed determination and leadership in keeping each other’s spirits up and morale high.
For their personal sacrifices, professionalism, skill and commitment to their work in helping to keep the province’s highways safe in winter, we are pleased to honour the Bay Roberts Garage team.