MEMA’S CDL PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BENEFIT MEMBERS

At the end of January, MEMA held its second offering of its new CDL Class B Program. During the week of January 30th, nine students from MEMA Member companies Dead River Company, Irving Oil, JP Carrol and Murray-Heutz completed CDL Class B Theory Training and familiarized themselves with the topics that will make up the CDL exam and the road-test.

MEMA’s own Colleen Ege, Steve Whitcomb of H.O. Bouchard, and Mark Anderson, Safety and Compliance Manager for Dead River Company, were instrumental in introducing the CDL Program and have been continuing to educate the students and updating the program to ensure students and MEMA Members are gaining maximum benefit from the course. Students continued to study and learn from the J.J. Keller Entry-Level Driver Training Manual, the Maine State Commercial Driver License Manual, and the Hazardous Materials Compliance Pocketbook.

CDL students also get some hands-on instruction with a walkthrough Pre-trip Inspection. Mark Anderson brought a Dead River truck and led students around every corner of the vehicle, explaining why drivers need to inspect around the vehicle and in the cabin before they head out on the road. Students can see firsthand the steps involved in a Pre-trip Inspection, which is the most important part of the job as a CDL driver to ensure the safety of not only the driver, but for others that will be sharing the road.

The curriculum taught at MEMA arms students with the knowledge they need to receive further training for the road-test from MEMA Member companies they are employed by. As a benefit of MEMA Membership, the CDL Program accelerates the process to obtain a CDL Class B license and gives members a resource to combat the industry need for trained and licensed drivers. Although the program is still in its infancy, the class has seen positive results and MEMA looks forward to continuing to offer this great program as a benefit to its members.

MEMA is aiming to hold its third CDL Class B Theory Training class in the Spring. To inquire about MEMA’s CDL Class B Theory Training, or MEMA Membership, contact Colleen Ege at cege@ maineenergymarketers.com.