Mayor Brown Inspects City Snow Fighting Equipment

Mayor Byron W. Brown today, joined by city Acting Public Works Commissioner Steven Stepniak and Henry Jackson, Director of Street Cleaning and Snow Removal, conducted the annual inspection of Buffalo’s snow fighting fleet at the Department of Public Works Broadway Garage.

“Last year, every member of this experienced team of snow fighters was put to the test during the freak October Surprise Storm and they rose to the challenge, reminding us all of their skill, experience and dedication,” said Mayor Brown. “We’ve added eight new pieces of equipment to this year’s fleet and there are additional ten new pieces on order that will arrive during the season. Our residents and businesses can rest assured that the combination of these excellent professionals and specialized equipment will provide the best snow fighting capability for any municipality in our region.”

The city snow fighting equipment includes the following 61 pieces of equipment:

42 plows (includes 4 new plows)
14 hi-lifts (includes 4 new hi-lifts)
5 v-plows

Equipment on order:

7 plow\spreader trucks
3 high lift plows
 
The City’s winter crew is comprised of 60 truck drivers, equipment operators, and Heavy Equipment Operators.  On November 5, 2007 the night crew is increased from 7 drivers to 20 and first shift will have 30 drivers, and the second shift has 10 drivers and covered with 4 hours of overtime on both ends during snow events. In addition, the Department has the use of about 15 trained sanitation drivers that are available for plowing when we exhaust our own overtime wheel.   The Department will also have the use of about 7 qualified drivers available at the 1120 Seneca street garage when necessary.

“We have, I believe, the most highly skilled professionals for this type of work in our region and probably the state,” stated Commissioner Stepniak.  “I have complete confidence in their abilities and our equipment is ready for winter.”