Creuse: the department recruits to prepare the winter

Like every year, before winter, communities are preparing to respond to ice storms and possible snow events. As part of its winter viability plan, the department of Creuse launched a recruitment campaign this week.The objective is to recruit about 20 agents on fixed-term contracts by the end of October to strengthen the permanent staff of 140 holders, in order to be able to organize the astreintes this winter. The first talks have already taken place on Monday 14 October. The jury has already received about fifteen candidates.

We are looking for agents who are motivated, who like to work outside and in teams. The main mission, in case of consequences of the winter, it will be to treat the snow and the ice, thus to drive the trucks dedicated to this task.
– Pierre Widmann, director of roads at the County Council

Applicants must have a heavyweight license. They must also be able to handle the chainsaw when needed, and of course, must not not be afraid to work early in the morning, and outdoors, in any weather.

This does not bother Guillaume, from Nouziers (Nord Creuse), who usually works in Evolis, the garbage management union. During the dead winter season, he would win a ticket for four months of fixed-term contract, from November to March.

I've always been used to being outdoors, it's something I've always loved, so it's not a problem.
– Guillaume Demay, candidate

The most difficult for recruiters remains to find candidates throughout the department, especially to the sensitive points of the South and East of the Creuse. This is the profile of Olivier, former bus driver, based in Montlucon, in the Allier.

I had a wish to be able to work on all the eastern part of the department, on a line from Boussac to Auzances, in fact. It may interest them, they began to look at how I could be reactive on the departmental centers.
– Olivier Cornieux, candidate

A dozen potential candidates were selected at the beginning of the week. So there will be, very soon, a new recruitment jury to complete the workforce. The future contractors will then have a training time to be ready for the launch of the winter viability plan, on December 2nd.

4000 tons of salt per year

The department, for its winter service, mobilizes 70 on-call agents, 35 machines (salt spreaders, snowplows and tractors), and monitors the network with 12 patrol circuits. On the 4400 kilometers of departmental roads, a first intervention network of 880 km is treated first. On average, 4000 tons of salt are used to salt the roads.