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Home > Leadership > Mayor > Archive Press Releases > 2008 Archives > October 2008 > Mayor Brown Inspects City Snow Fighting Equipment

Mayor Brown Inspects City Snow Fighting Equipment

Source/Contact
Office of the Mayor
Peter K. Cutler
Director of Communications
716-851-5841

Annual Inspection Signals Preparation for Winter Weather

Mayor Byron W. Brown today, joined by city 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.

“Two years ago, every member of our experienced team of snow fighters was put to the test during the October Surprise Storm and they rose to the challenge, reminding us all of their skill, experience and dedication,” said Mayor Brown. “And last winter the crews performed to their usual level of excellence. We’ve added ten new pieces of equipment to this year’s fleet and there are an additional seven new pieces on order that will arrive during the season. Our residents and businesses can rest assured that the combination of these skilled professionals and the Department’s specialized equipment will provide the best snow fighting capability for any municipality in our region.”

The city snow fighting equipment includes the following 65 pieces of equipment:

51 plows (includes 7 new plows)
14 hi-lifts (includes 3 new hi-lifts)

Equipment on order:

5 plow
2 high lift plows
 
The City’s winter crew is comprised of 67 truck drivers, equipment operators, and Heavy Equipment Operators.  On November 3, 2008 the night crew will be increased from 7 drivers to 24 and first shift will have 30 drivers, and the second shift has 13 drivers and covered with 4 hours of overtime on both ends during snow events. In addition, the Department has the ability to call in trained drivers from its list of Sanitation Department personnel. The Department will also have the use of qualified drivers available at the 1120 Seneca street garage when necessary.

The city has 3,500 tons of salt in stock at the Broadway Garage and approximately 5,000 tons at the Department’s Fuhrmann Boulevard site.

“As I stated last year, 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.”