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CUC staff undergoes defensive driver training
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Posted on Nov 23 2011
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
Reporter
Forty-five Commonwealth Utilities Corp. employees were trained in defensive driving by the Department of Public Safety’s Traffic Section.
Among the training participants were CUC meter readers and personnel from the water and wastewater and power divisions. All participants drive company vehicles in carrying out their daily work assignments.
Sgt. Anthony I. Macaranas conducted the 16-hour training consisting of classroom instructions and field training that included a wide range of subjects, including vehicle maintenance, driving conditions, emergency response, proper maneuvering, and parking.
Diego Kaipat, a trade assistant for two years at the wastewater treatment plant, said, “It’s good that we are put through this training because there are many things that we never knew about the rules of the road and now we do.”
George Blas, wastewater collections specialist for over eight years, was also among the trainees. “We were all taught to drive by different people and when we go out on the road, we drive the way we were taught. Now that we have undergone this professional training, we now see and understand how we are really supposed to be driving our private cars and especially government vehicles.”
Greg Burkett, CUC’s training coordinator, said that providing 24-hour service to customers requires CUC personnel to be on the road at all hours of the day and night. Safety training in this area, he said, contributes to the safety of all, and can be lifesaving.
CUC is working with DPS to certify more CUC employees and to provide additional safety related trainings for its personnel on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
