In the past month, SIMA attended the New Hampshire Salt Symposium, the Midwest Snow and Ice Conference, and the New York State Salt Summit. What I learned from these events is the importance of having trained deicer applicators at every company.

The primary reason isn't simply education—it's liability protection. Let me explain why: more and more areas across North America are seeing the impacts of chlorides on freshwater sources. This isn't new; we've seen it in many regions, and you've likely noticed it in the local, state, and regional areas where you live or work. Let's also be honest: excessive use of salt and chlorides harms the environment. On the other hand, we all know rock salt is the most affordable and accessible product for melting snow and ice and keeping transportation safe.

What started in New Hampshire with the Green SnowPro program over 10 years ago is now spreading to other areas. A key way to reduce environmental impact and liability is to train your salt applicators. This is why SIMA created the Certified Deicer Applicator (CDA) program. You can take it virtually at your convenience, and it's affordable at $150 per person for members. The program supports application and documentation best practices that help protect your team and company against lawsuits and insurance claims. It also standardizes crew training to use the right product at the right rate, reducing waste and making better use of available materials during salt shortages or supply disruptions. This saves your company money as salt prices reach all-time highs. Furthermore, it teaches applicators responsible de-icing practices, helping you make more consistent decisions across every site and storm.

We are working to promote ongoing professionalism across the snow and ice industry. To achieve this, we must equip ourselves with the necessary skills, knowledge, and training to perform the job responsibly and effectively. While the CDA is not the only program available, SIMA's CDA lets you complete training virtually at your convenience and prove your competence by passing a final assessment. Its interactive format makes learning easy and keeps users engaged with up-to-date content.

SIMA is continuing to work behind the scenes with state and provincial partners to pass legislation mirroring the New Hampshire Green SnowPro program. Having a CDA-certified applicator on staff is a proactive way to prepare for potential future legislation. It also demonstrates to environmentally conscious customers—especially those near freshwater sources like lakes, streams, rivers, and retention ponds—that you are actively taking steps to protect the environment.

I encourage everyone to be proactive in their duties as winter maintenance professionals. Please review the CDA program, and I would appreciate your feedback on its quality.