“We’re just like everyone else,” said Brett Daniel, Fort Dodge public works director. “We hope the snow and ice will stay away as long as possible, but we know it’s coming at some point in time.”

Daniel and his city crews have been busy this month prepping plows, sanders, and blades as well as running routes before the snow flies to ensure that nothing hazardous is in or near the roadways.

“We have seven trucks with plow sand sanders ready to go,” said Daniel. “While it doesn’t look like snow on the horizon, we have our equipment and our materials ready when they’re needed. We’re also doing training, some with simulators, to try to stay fresh and to maintain safety.”

Webster County Engineer Jamie Johll said the county road department has also stocked up with 1,500 tons of salt and 10,000 tons of sand for the winter season. Its 31 tandem axle plow trucks will remove snow from 1,100 miles of road throughout the county. For larger snowfalls, the county also uses 14 motor graders to “wing” the snow from the shoulders.

-Messenger photo by Kelli Bloomquist
Brandon Roach, a mechanic with the city of Fort Dodge, checks the engine of a city plow as he prepares for the incoming winter snow season.

“In extreme conditions, we may also use snow blowers mounted on skid loaders and end loaders, and we have V-plows that we can mount on the front of our equipment to bust through large drifts,” added Johll.

The county road crews also keep up on training with November being the department’s winter operations meeting when safety videos, the county’s snow removal policies, proper techniques and procedures, and equipment maintenance are all reviewed. Last year, the entire department participated in Certified Snow Fighter training.

“My main focus is always the safety of the crew, as well as the public,” said Johll. “The work our guys do is a thankless job. During winter they’re out up to 14 hours a day in extreme conditions on the roads. They regularly spend their weekends and holidays in a truck instead of with their families.”

Daniel also reminded residents inside of city limits to keep their car off the road as best they can, stay off of snow routes, and not to push snow from driveways and sidewalks into the roadways.

“Stay safe this winter,” said Daniel. “Give the trucks room and dial down that winter driving.”