By Kim Morava, kimberly.morava@news-star.com
News-Star.com
Posted Jan 02, 2011 @ 10:00 AM
SHAWNEE, Okla. — While central Oklahoma has so far avoided any real winter precipitation, whether it be in the form of snow or ice, the city of Shawnee streets department has a prioritization plan in place for clearing area roadways during such events.
With the start of the new year and the peak of the winter season, wintery precipitation is possible so residents are urged to be prepared.
When snow or ice falls, the Shawnee streets department implements a “Snow and Ice Removal Plan” for area roadways.
Don Lynch, Shawnee/Pottawatomie County emergency management director, said this plan is a prioritization system for clearing streets and supporting the emergency response system for the fire and police departments as well as emergency medical services.
“The department’s ability to clear routes depends heavily on the amount and type of winter weather we receive”, said John Krywicki, city engineer.
When the city activates its snow response plan, the department has eight employees which split into two, 12-hour shifts to operate the 10 pieces of equipment available to clear streets.
The crews use a sand and salt mixture, calcium chloride and truck mounted snow plows to clear streets; sand and other aggregates are also used, and Lynch said the city has plenty of these materials on hand... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Sun, January 2, 2011
by John Cox