How City employees are using courses and competitions to prepare for snow and ice

With temperatures in the 60s and 70s this week, it seems unthinkable that the winter weather season is just a few months away.

For Public Works staff, however, the preparation is already underway.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Cedar Rapids hosted two days of statewide winter training events with the American Public Works Association's Iowa chapter.

The City hosted the annual statewide ROADEO competition on Thursday, with a strong showing by our staff. Organized by the American Public Works Association (APWA), the ROADEO puts snowplow drivers, excavator operators and more up against one another to test their skills on a course that replicates real conditions in the field.

Thursday's competition took place at the Kirkwood Continuing Education Training Center. Competitors came from more than 20 different cities from throughout the state. The competition featured a course with pylons that is designed to reflect real-world maneuvering challenges for snowplows, as well as skid loaders and mini excavators.

Cedar Rapids employees did very well in the competition. Results included:

• 1st Place: Cedar Rapids - Marcus Hromidko & Logan Sirovy
• 2nd Place: Cedar Rapids - Ryan State & Kyle Garin

• 1st Place: Cedar Rapids - Jacob Bruner

• 2nd Place: Cedar Rapids - Dave Schmidt

• 2nd Place: Cedar Rapids - Dave Schmidt

Our truck champions, Marcus Hromidko and Logan Sirovy, will advance to the National Championships in Loveland, Colorado, representing Cedar Rapids. Their trip is funded by the APWA.

Marcus and Logan will also be supporting local residents this winter, when the City responds to snow events. Having such highly skilled employees in the field says a lot about the level of City training.

In fact, to help showcase the challenge of operating a snowplow, Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell was invited to drive one for the first time on the competition course. Accompanied by operator Ryan State - who later went on to place 2^nd in the competition - Mayor O'Donnell drove the truck for two laps. She called the experience "super humbling."

"You get a real appreciation for their work," she said. "I cannot imagine being in a blizzard at 3 in the morning, and having to navigate curbs, driveways, and mailboxes. It is incredible, what they do."

Certified training

Thursday gave operators the chance to compete. Just one day earlier, however, they had the chance to learn. On Wednesday, the City hosted two APWA educational opportunities: the Winter Maintenance Supervisor Certificate and the Winter Maintenance Operator Certificate.

Open to municipalities, counties, and organizations statewide, the programs were taught by two of Cedar Rapids' own: Assistant Public Works Director Mike Duffy and Streets Supervisor Brett Lerch. Both have taught these programs across the country as well as in Canada.

Taking place at both Kirkwood Community College and the City Services Center, more than 100 students took part in the educational programs. Subjects included managing snow routes; operating equipment; and more.

That training is critical for cities. When a snow or ice event happens, Cedar Rapids crews have to clear more than 1,400 lane miles of snow and ice to allow reasonable and safe travel within the city. Our efforts earned the City the Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award from the APWA in 2024.

"These efforts reflect Cedar Rapids Public Works' commitment to being a national leader in snow and ice control," says Streets Superintendent Brian McLeod. "We hope our dedication continues to make our City's leadership and residents proud."

Learn more about the American Public Works Association's Winter Maintenance Certificate Courses & Roadeo here. Learn more about Cedar Rapids' snow and ice removal program (including frequently asked questions) here.