The 45 participants are mostly meter readers and are from the water, wastewater and power divisions.
Greg Burkett, CUC’s training coordinator, is enthusiastic about the immediate benefits of the training.
“Providing 24-hour service to our customers requires CUC personnel to be on the road at all hours, day and night. Safety training contributes to the safety of all, and can be life-saving,” he said.
CUC appreciates the professional training provided by Sgt Anthony Macaranas and traffic investigator Norris Kwon, he added.
The participants drive CUC vehicles when carrying out their daily work assignments, Burkett said.
The 16-hour training led by Macaranas consisted of classroom and field training as well as written and field tests.
The course discussed vehicle maintenance, driving conditions, emergency response, proper maneuvering and parking.
The field training allowed the trainees to practice and apply maneuvers learned in the classroom setting, Burkett said.
Diego Kaipat, a trade assistant for two years at the wastewater treatment plant, was among the CUC employees who underwent the training.
“It’s good that we are put through this training because there are many things that we never knew about now we do,” he said.
George Blas, wastewater collections specialist and a CUC employee for over eight years, was also one of the trainees.
“I am glad that this training was offered to me and my crew. 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. I recommend that all CUC employees go through this training,” he said.
Burkett said CUC is working closely with the Department of Public Safety to certify more CUC employees and to provide additional safety related training sessions for employees on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
