As I began to prepare my remarks as the keynote speaker at the Walk for Public Safety in Madison, I was reflecting on a question that I have asked myself many times: what classifies a public safety officer? Is it limited to a police officer, a firefighter or an EMS worker, or can it encompass more than that?
I would argue that there is another group that seldom gets the glory, but truly does a great deal to keep Hoosiers safe; that group is our winter road maintenance crews. With temperatures finally above freezing, I know many of us, myself included, are looking forward to putting winter behind us. However, before we do, I would like to take a moment to recognize the men and women who literally kept our state moving this winter, despite what Mother Nature threw our way.
When highway crews are alerted to storms headed to our area, plows spray out a salt and brine solution on the roads beforehand. This prevents snow and freezing rain from turning into ice when temperatures drop. Once the snow has fallen, crews head back onto the roads in order to plow, salt and remove snow and ice covering our roadways.
Being the first people dispatched to treat the roads, these crews are essentially risking their lives so that you and I are able to travel safely. Often these individuals are called to work long after we have already gone to sleep - leaving their families at home - all to help thousands of people who they will never meet.
As we start to embrace the warm temperatures, I hope that you will join me in thanking these hardworking men and women for their continued commitment to public safety. I know that we do not say it nearly enough, but today, I am truly thankful for these unsung defenders of our community.
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