Page 8 - Mar-Apr24 Vol 41 No 7

Salt and a Plan 10-degree temperatures. to mention a bit rougher topography, he
Friday hit 34 degrees, the first time
from page 7 Knoxville had seen temperatures go above ended the call with a “thank you.”
In closing, I also want to say a big
Knoxville averages an annual snowfall 32 since Sunday. But it was short lived. “thank you and job well done” to all cities’
total of 4.6" And with that the City of Friday night went down to 12 degrees and counties’ employees that do this
Knoxville has 24 salt trucks, 22 of them followed by a high of 20 and a Saturday work. And not just the salt truck drivers.
with plows. We store 2,000 tons of salt night low of 6. Like most communities facing se-
with additional calcium chloride. After a weekend of bone-chilling vere circumstances, Knox County
In my 15 years, I never before thought temperatures that saw things re-freeze opens an Emergency Operations Cen-
that this was not an efficient supply. But every night, we finally saw some respite ter (EOC). The number of KPD, KFD,
this storm was different. Knoxville also on Monday. Monday’s temperature went non-profits, 911 and 311 operators,
is anything but flat! The same thing that up to 43 degrees and Tuesday’s was more hospitals and ambulance workers and
makes this area beautiful, also makes of the same. From that point on, one week the countless other professions that I am
snow quite treacherous. after the saga began, we were out of the leaving out are truly amazing people.
At times our trucks could not safely woods and Mother Nature finally helped The number of hours worked by some
navigate some of the hills. We would back things improve. during this event was staggering, and I
up hills, spreading salt for traction, then At that point you finally start to hear stand and applaud, not only for those in
start to slide. Abandoned cars also became and listen to the good customers. They’re Knox County that worked this storm, but
prevalent, making our job much more the ones who managed to enjoy the extra also for the workers who do this month in
difficult. time spent at home and turned the bad and month out in all parts of the country.
Our goal was to try streets, but if our situation into something positive. As for our team, we have had plenty of
trucks start to slide, we just need to pull They’re the ones who knew what we reflections and post-meetings on what we
off and go to the next one. After all, if all were up against, and called to say thank did well and what we could do better. And
our trucks go in the ditch, then we were you for all our hard work, and even the certainly we will make some changes, but
no good to anyone. caller who was a transplant from a small at the end of the day I am proud of every-
Just when progress was being made, community in Northern Ohio. thing our team accomplished.
Weather System 2 came in Thursday He wanted to be mad, but once I I think what I am most proud of was
night/Friday morning. From about 7pm- convinced him this was the worst storm that every emergency 911 call went an-
4am, the weather would change its mind. I have seen in my 15 years, we had 24 swered and the main roads through the
A mix of snow, sleet, rain, freezing rain: trucks meanwhile his previous communi- city always were passable.
just what you need after 3+ days of sub ty had 95 and we were twice the size, not “We have salt and we have a plan.”

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8 TPW March/April 2024