New Intermediate Communications Specialist embarks on ride along

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Being an emergency response operator is a thrilling job full of new obstacles every single day. Intermediate Communications Specialist Matthew Rinehart and Intermediate Communications Specialist/Scout Communications Lead Katie Manzke were eager to learn about what all the job entails. Rinehart is new to MoDOT and is spending time with various departments within the organization to have a better idea of the wide range of jobs, opportunities, and operations that are offered. During the winter they embarked on a ride along with Emergency Response Shift Supervisor Edward Jackson. Rinehart and Manzke enjoyed getting to see the day-to-day operations of an ER operator and learning about all of the various situations they can encounter. During the ride along they were able to help multiple customers and practice speaking over the radio reading off the location of the customer and their license plate. “I was glad we could be there for people in scary situations where they were alone and needed help,” stated Manzke. One situation that took place was a car stopped in the middle of the road. “I liked doing the push maneuver where we used the ER truck to push a stalled vehicle out of a dangerous spot into to a safer area,” stated Rinehart. The two stranded motorist were dressed in Santa hats excited to celebrate the holiday season. The day took a turn for the worst but ER came to save the day and spread some holiday cheer by helping them make it to safety. 


  


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