By Nick Kuzma Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News)- There is no time for delay when it comes to winter preparations in Central New York.
In Syracuse in particular, getting 100 inches of snow during a winter is no big deal.
In fact, every year Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, Binghamton, and Rochester compete for the Golden Snowball, which goes to the city with the highest snow total.
Syracuse has taken the award home 13 out of the last 15 times.
So how does one get ready for a winter this size? It all comes down to the details.
“So last year was the first winter that myself and my commissioner Jeremy Robinson experienced with the City of Syracuse,” Said Syracuse Department of Public Works Deputy Commissioner Ann Fordock. “So, and we learned a lot of things that are going prepare better for this year, and so a big one is preparation.”
Along with preparation, there is also a need for tangible things like heavy-duty plows and tons (literally) of road salt.
The job of using all of that material and operating those vehicles is not an easy one.
The streets in the city are narrow enough, but sometimes people do no follow signs as to where to park their cars.
“When cars are on the streets sometimes we can’t clear the streets, so we can’t get down them,” said Union President and Plow Operator Steve Barnum. “So, it’s hard. So I mean the main thing is…hey– if you guys follow the rules and don’t park on both sides of the streets, I’m telling you right now, we will get every street in the city plowed.”
The DPW begins implements its full scale winter plan on November 15. At that time, many workers begins to only concentrate on snow and ice removal.
(Track 1)
Here we go again…
The wind is whipping and the days are getting shorter…
…Soon Central and Upstate New York will be once again covered in tons of cold white powder
(Stand Up)
Well, the people of Syracuse know a little thing or two about snow. They know how to handle it and they know how to drive in it. But their ability to do so, is thanks in large part to the city of Syracuse’s Department of Public Works, who works around the clock to make sure its citizens’ daily routines are not affected by inclement weather.
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As we get closer to the end of the year, the DPW is getting ready for what is just the beginning…
….The department is of course in charge of removing snow and ice… and the closer winter gets, the more their workload increases…
…Ann Fordock is in her second winter as the Deputy Commissioner of the DPW…
…She is an Onondaga County native, but says last year her job came with a learning curb
(SOT: Ann Fordock)
So last year was the first winter that myself and my commissioner Jeremy Robinson experienced with the City of Syracuse so and we learned a lot of things that are going prepare better for this year, and so a big one is preparation
(Track 3)
…Winter preparation is huge for a city that often receives more snow than anywhere in the country…
…Getting ready for this kind of weather requires heavy duty vehicles and road salt..
…Lots and lots and lots of road salt…
…Steve Bartum has been clearing Syracuse roads for over two decades…He asks for a little help from locals this year
(SOT: Steve Bartum)
“The main thing is the parking of the vehicles on the streets. When cars are on the streets sometimes we can’t clear the streets, so we can’t get down them. So, it’s hard. So I mean the main thing is…hey– if you guys follow the rules and don’t park on both sides of the streets, I’m telling you right now, we will get every street in the city plowed.”
(Track 4)
Well, believe it or not, snow is potentially in the forecast weekend, so therefore Barnum’s promise may actually get tested sooner than usual…
…In Syracuse, Nick Kuzma, NCC News.
