A Day in the Life of a Snow Plow Operator - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

A Day in the Life of a Snow Plow Operator

By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com

The first snow storm of the year has Quad Citians bundled up and getting out of the cold as soon as they can.

There's one group of folks in Rock Island that heads out just when everybody else is heading home.

It's a twelve hour shift and constant rotations when winter comes around, for snow plow operators.

Chris Mark, a snow plow operator, started his day at 7 AM, and won't get off until 7 PM.

That's after working the same shift yesterday.

But he doesn't seem to be fazed just yet.

"You have to control the blade, the salt, and you always have to look out for the other drivers too," said Mark.

During yesterday's storm, Chris was in one of nine trucks out around Rock Island plowing and salting the main arteries.

"White out conditions, slippery," said Chris.

Leaders at the Rock Island public works department said while the storm is over, the job isn't done.

"They'll still come back probably for several days and do odds and ends and cleanups on corners and things like that," said Bob Hawes of the Rock Island Public Works Department.

Friday, plow operators like Chris were out bright and early cleaning up the smaller streets.

"The trucks are now generally working in the residential neighborhoods," said Hawes.

Chris said he's happy the worst of it is over, at least for now.

But next time he'll be ready again, and he has one simple request for fellow residents.

"Basically, give us the right of way and let us do our job, and that way they can get home safely," said Chris.