2009
Department of Transportation and Works

Kirby Rose has been a Highway Maintenance Equipment Operator with the Department of Transportation and Works for 20 winter seasons. The quality of Kirby’s job performance affects the lives of commuters. Kirby’s responsibility is immense and his task is one inherent with the dangers of wintertime highway maintenance. His character is such that he puts the safety of the driving public ahead of his own well being.

When he is on shift, Kirby wakes at 4 a.m. often facing harsh winter weather conditions of drifting snow and zero visibility which are especially common to the Northern Peninsula.

On one of those winter mornings, Kirby showed great perception and remarkable foresight. The moment he spotted flames coming from the chimney of a house in Goose Cove, he sprang into action by knocking on the door and awaking the female occupant and her infant. Telling them of the fire he then proceeded to the basement and put out the flames. Displaying the kind of attention to detail and diligence it takes to perform his equipment operator position, Kirby then sprayed water in the fire pit, went outside and made a visual inspection of the chimney, then returned again to soak the coals one more time. When he felt secure the mother and infant were no longer in jeopardy Kirby resumed his route for the rest of his shift only to stop in and check on the occupants of the house and ensure their safety before going home himself.

It is reassuring to know unselfish and truly valiant people like Kirby are out there on the road safeguarding us from the elements on a daily basis.