PRESS RELEASE
Released: October 29. 2009
Contact: Cheryl E. Kuck, 503-823-5552
SNOW & ICE TRUCKS ROLL IN PREPARATION FOR WINTER STORMS
Maintenance Operations conducts annual winter preparedness exercise
(PORTLAND, OR) — The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation conducted its final exercise today in a series of annual winter preparedness trainings for field employees and incident managers. Maintenance employees and equipment were mobilized and participated in a “dry run” event to insure that winter snow and ice preparedness and response plans are understood and complete.
Crews chained up, climbed up, started up, inspected, and sent out 50 trucks on pre-determined service routes (without snow equipment attached), including major commute routes and routes that support transit and emergency response. The big trucks included plows, sanders, and anti-icing equipment. This exercise concluded the City’s preparation and inspection of over 70 vehicles for field response and support in winter snow and ice events.
“Our employees are prepared to do their job,” said Mayor Adams. “They know their equipment and their routes, they are prepared to quickly assess the condition of our streets, and they are ready to apply their skills to keep our emergency routes open and our community safe.”
As part of today’s drill, crews placed and then removed sections of the flood wall extension downtown (along Naito Parkway south of the Steel Bridge). Emergency preparations will also include crews placing and then removing flood barriers across Marine Drive near Portland Road.
“Our goal is to make our emergency response as effective as possible to minimize threats to public health, safety, and property – and enable people to get where they need to go,” said Adams.
Mayor Adams reminded everyone that the Arctic Blast of 2008 was the most significant snow event in the past 40 years and an event that utilized all of the City’s available resources – people and equipment. “The event left its mark on cities all over our region and pointed to a number of things that our State, our Region, our County, and our City can do to be better prepared for a severe weather incident in the future, especially if it comes in the form of heavy snow and ice.”
Adams reported that the City has been working with the Oregon Department of Transportation, TriMet, C-Tran, Multnomah County, Washington County, and other emergency responders to review our collective response to last year’s extraordinary weather event and how we can serve people better.
This year’s Snow and Ice Plan establishes four service areas:
- Pre-identified hazard areas and critical locations (mostly intersections and bridges);
- Arterials and major transit routes considered to be a minimum network that must be kept open to provide a transportation system connecting hospitals, Police and Fire stations, rescue unit locations, schools, if open, and major park-and-ride transit lots;
- Additional arterials with a high daily traffic count, and major collector streets completing a network that connects major residential areas and local commercial districts; and
- Neighborhood residential streets providing access to residential homes and businesses, and Central Business District crosswalks, bridge walks, stairways, and other selected locations.
According to Maintenance Operations manager Suzanne Kahn, the City included 10 TriMet “bus rescue” drivers along with City employees in snow and ice training this year. “Also, we have trained employees from both the Water and Parks Bureaus to be available should we need to call on them in a winter weather event,” said Kahn.
The City’s limited resources are focused on the highest priority transportation facilities. Most residential streets are not plowed and sanded during snow and ice events, and snow removal on sidewalks is the responsibility of the property owner. Maintenance Operations also has authority to close streets or require traction devices. During major events, traction devices are usually required for West Burnside and Sam Jackson streets.
“Today’s event serves as an advisory to Portland residents to begin preparing for winter weather conditions,” said Adams. “Neighborhood by neighborhood, we need to join together to prepare for winter hazards we might face.” Essential equipment for property owners is a snow shovel, de-icing granules (available at home improvement stores), and traction devices.
“We join ODOT in recommending that everyone carry chains in their vehicle to be prepared,” said Adams. “Know before you go – check ODOT’s TripCheck website for highway road closures and click on ‘Portland Winter Travel Info’ for local street closures and advisories.”
The City advises residents to stay tuned to local weather forecasts and advisories and prepare accordingly. If possible, take transit to get around the city during winter storm events. If you must drive, consider delaying your trip until road conditions are better. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Drive slowly and leave plenty of room to stop safely.
Adams noted that during fall and winter storms, the City relies on residents to clear catch basins of leaves and debris near their property while Maintenance Operations crews work around the clock to clean streets, clear trash racks in the hills, and clear clogged catch basins. “As a result of citizen involvement in keeping catch basins clear, we limit road closures due to standing water,” said Adams.
Snow and ice event operations are organized on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) model. A contracted weather professional provides advance storm warning and technical support during the response operation. Treatments include application of an anti-icing chemical called calcium magnesium acetate, sanding, plowing, limited snow removal, and street closures. No rock salt is used because of environmental concerns – it is corrosive to our bridges and harmful to fish and wildlife in our rivers and streams.
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