Streets Department ramps up snow plow training in preparation for winter
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Snow plow crews are staying prepared for whatever mother nature potentially throws their way this winter.
St. Joseph's Street Maintenance Department is plowing ahead with training for dozens of workers who will take to the streets this winter for snow removal operations.
Thursday's training, held at the facility off Stockyards Expressway, featured a combination of classroom sessions to review snow routes, department policies and hands on training to operate the snow plows.
"We do this hands-on training because guys need to get a feel for what it feels like to drive a snow plow," Senior Field Supervisor Steve Kendall said. "We love to put the plow down on the ground and get familiar with (the plows) before they get out on the street on their own."
This year's training class included more than a dozen trainees from the year before, jumping from 20 to around 32. The bigger group will help provide more flexibility when scheduling people to clear roads and snow paths.
In addition to operating the plows during winter operations, street crews will also be de-icing roads and assisting emergency services such as ambulances and dispatchers.
"Last year was a little bit shorter (for our group)," Kendall said. "This year we're looking pretty good on boys. We have a bigger crew this year than we did last year."
The work shifts for crews will be split into two 12-hour periods that switch at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The crews are called upon when an Emergency Snow Ordinance is enacted by the city, with multiple phases in place. Phase I is issued once the first snowfall occurs and stays in effect through the end of winter. Phase II is issued if 2+ inches of snow has fallen and/or a significant amount is expected.
The training comes after last year's winter blizzard in January made some notable history, being the first time since December 2009 that St. Joseph and nearby areas witnessed double-digit snowfall.
The National Weather Service confirmed 16 inches of snow fell during the event in St. Joseph, while nearby areas had 14 to 16 inches.
Despite historic snowfall last year, the event didn't force any significant changes in operations or training, which is conducted every fall.
"The blizzard was really nothing out of the normal, it was just more snow than normal," Kendall said. "You go out (to plow) and it's no different than any other snow, just a little deeper."
