The DOT POD

Latest Episodes:

Confined Space Training Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of The DOT POD, host Josh Heller finds himself in a bit of a “tight spot” as he and co-host Anya Kardos head to Alexandria Bay, New York, to get a first-hand look at the New York State Department of Transportation’s brand-new mobile Confined Space Training Trailer.

Their journey offers a unique opportunity to delve into NYSDOT’s enhanced confined space training and how this new mobile training unit is affording real-world scenarios to department employees statewide who navigate the complexities of working in challenging spaces.

Josh and Anya welcome guests Scott Cornell and Dean Yauger with NYSDOT’s Office of Safety and Health as they share the unique challenges and hazards that require specialized knowledge and skills to navigate spaces like manholes, catch basins, culverts, bridge compartments, and underground systems at our state rest areas to keep these structures and our entire network of roadways safe and running smoothly.

Centro & the Future of Micro Transit Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

The DOT POD's hosts are back on the road, this time visiting Rome, NY to explore the innovative world of micro transit.

In this episode, Josh and Anya sit down with guests Ross Farrell, Director of NYSDOT's Public Transportation Bureau, and Steve Koegel, Vice President of Communications and Business Planning for the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro).

They discuss Centro's achievements in on-demand transit, their user-friendly app, and how they, and NYSDOT, are leveraging funding to rethink transit for riders.

Recruitment Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

On this edition of The DOT POD, hosts Josh and Anya are once again on site at the Great New York State Fair talking about recruitment.

The New York State Department of Transportation is constantly on the look out for the best and the brightest to join the DOT team, with openings throughout the entire Department.

Joining the podcast are recruitment coordinator, Dan Patrignani, and motor equipment manager, Bill Chiro, to discuss the need for qualified employees, and how DOT, as well as the State of New York, is making it easier than ever to apply.

For more information on working for DOT, click here.

For a list of DOT job openings, click here.

NYSDOT Remembers 9/11 Sep 10, 2024

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On this special episode of the DOT POD, Josh and Anya travel to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City on the eve of the 23rd anniversary of that tragic day.

Listen in as they speak with two former DOT employees, Mukesh Desai and Craig Ruyle, who worked right around the corner from the Towers. They'll take us through the events of that day and the aftermath in the days that followed, and how the New York State Department of Transportation helped aid in the cleanup and recovery.

They also welcome in the Chief Curator of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, Jan Ramirez, and talk about the importance, and the responsibility, of ensuring we never forget the events of that fateful day.

School Bus Inspection Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

With the first day of school right around the corner, countless parents will be sending their children to school on those bright yellow school buses. But in order for that bus to be on the road, the New York State Department of Transportation makes sure that they pass one of the most rigorous inspections in the country.

This episode of the DOT POD is on location at the Great New York State Fair where Josh and Anya sit down with the Director, Passenger Carrier Safety Bureau, Marc Berger, and Field Operations Manager, Jeff Corey, to talk about what goes in to ensuring your kids get to and from school safely every day.

DOT at the Great NY State Fair Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

One of the Great annual traditions in New York is the Great New York State Fair which is set to kick off at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. This year's event is primed to be another exciting affair with nearly a million people expected to walk through the turnstiles.

But with so many people coming to experience this tremendous event, and many of them arriving by car, a great deal of coordination is necessary between the Fair and DOT to ensure a smooth season.

Newly-appointed State Fair Director Julie LaFave recently sat down with co-hosts Josh Heller and Anya Kardos to talk about what’s new and Great at this year’s Fair as well as the coordination involved in putting on such a massive event, while NYSDOT’s Emergency Management Coordinator Amber Stevens spoke about the Department’s coordinating role in the Traffic Management Command Post and participation with partners in the Joint Operations Center at the Fair.

Tornado Clean Up Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

When severe storms swept across the state recently, they left a path of destruction in their wake. The tornado damage left trees and power lines strewn across roads, and buildings and cars destroyed.

But once the weather cleared, the New York State DOT got to work in clearing debris, fixing roads, restoring signals, and helping communities get back to a sense of normalcy.

In this episode of the DOT POD, Josh and Anya welcome in Assistant Commissioner of Operations Pat Barnes and Supervisor, Equipment Operator/Instructor, Chris Wade. They discuss the herculean effort of DOT employees who helped clean up the mess left from these terrible storms.

Employee Assistance Program Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

State workers, be they members of DOT, or any other agency, work hard every day to keep New York running smoothly. But these employees, just like any other, need someplace to turn for support.

The Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, is designed to be there for all State employees, and on this episode of The DOT POD, Josh and Anya welcome in Nancy Nuding, and EAP Coordinator at NYSDOT's Main Office, and Kelsey Russell, EAP Regional Representative for the Capital Region.

Listen in to find out more about EAP including all the services they provide and how to find your local EAP Coordinator.

Listeners can also go to www.oer.ny.gov/eap or call 1-800-822-0244.

The Boilermaker Road Race Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

Each year on the second Sunday in July in downtown Utica, NY, tens of thousands of runners converge for the annual Boilermaker Road Race. This 15k event is more party than race, as the entire community bands together to create a carnival atmosphere for runners and spectators alike. But to put an event like this on, so much of the work goes on behind the scenes, long before the opening gun. NYSDOT has been a major partner of the Boilermaker in making sure everything runs smoothly. From ensuring the roads are in good shape, the route is closed off to traffic, not to mention having a team of runners participating, DOT and the Boilermaker work hand in hand. On this episode, Josh and Anya talk with Mike Palowski, the Regional Director of Operations in Region 2, and Boilermaker Race Director Jim Stasaitis, to talk about all the work that is necessary to deliver one of the greatest road race environments in the country.

The Annual NYSATE Conference Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

On this edition of The DOT POD, hosts Josh and Anya hit the road and travel to Mohawk Valley Community College to attend the Annual NYSATE Conference. NYSATE, which stands for the New York State Association of Transportation Engineers, held their annual conference in Utica, NY and The DOT POD was there. Brian Hoffman, NYSDOT Professional Engineer with Region 2's Design Group, and Bob Rice, Regional Manager for NYSDOT's Office of Planning and Program Management, as well as the President of NYSATE's Board of Directors, sit down to talk about the long and fruitful partnership between NYSDOT and NYSATE.

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