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Firefighting in the Snow Save Email Print
Reporter: Evrod Cassimy
Email Address: ECassimy@nbc15.com

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"There are thousands of cars parked all over town that they don't have the ability to move," says Madison Fire Department Lieutenant Larry Grab.

It's a problem firefighters see every time it snows that could potentially be the difference between life and death.

"Getting through the streets when the streets are narrowed by the snow and by parked cars and the snow plow leaving the big ruts around the parked cars makes it more difficult and it slows our response."

Driving through almost any Madison neighborhoods you'll see it; cars that have been parked in the same spot for days after a snowfall and are now snowed in after snow plows make their rounds. The main problem is firefighters need about 16 feet of roadway in order to successfully park their engine or ladder. When cars like this don't move when it's time to plow the streets, all the snow that piles up around them makes it that much more difficult and puts several homes at risk in the event of a fire.

The solution seems simple, have all drivers move their cars when it snows. But not everyone cooperates. The city has given out nearly 9 hundred snow citations.

"Take the time, you and your friends or whomever to help get your car unstuck. Move it out the way cause you never know, there might be a fire in your place or next door where the fire department might need to come."

And most importantly, do it quickly. The longer you take to dig your car out the harder it becomes. Dropping temperatures turns snow and sleet on your car to ice making it nearly impossible to remove.

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Posted by: Responder Location: Local on Dec 8, 2007 at 06:00 PM
Wahh Wahh Laura. Get a grip. It's the price one pays for living and working downtown. Be thankful there's an opportunity for FREE COVERED parking in a snow emergency, that's a hot dang nice perk! As for "staying off the roads" as an excuse to not move one's vehicle to FREE covered parking... DUH use some common sense. The "suggestion" to stay off the roads was to keep traffic overall to a minimum, not to 'excuse' silly people from moving their cars. Madison, get out the tow truck and MOVE THOSE VEHICLES!!

Posted by: Jessa Location: Madison on Dec 7, 2007 at 04:36 PM
Firefighters are heroes! Although it's hard to be a hero when you can't get to where you need to be. These people give up holidays, birthday parties, family gatherings, funerals and other time spent with families to protect YOURS!!! Yes, winter parking is a pain in the butt, yes it's a inconvenience to have to move your car all the time. But think about the possible alternative: Death - either to you or a neighbor. Quit whining and move your damn car!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison on Dec 7, 2007 at 10:02 AM
That is when the city should call tow trucks and have them cars moved. The Landlords should also talk tot heir tennants and have them help with the plowing.

Posted by: Mike Location: Madison on Dec 7, 2007 at 01:37 AM
And God love 'em for being out there in all kinds of weather, nite & day protecting us rescuing us helping us & being part of our community! Respect to the box jox & crews of the rugged red responders! Hats off to the wrench crews too, who keep the engines runnin & wheels turnin when needed! Happy holidays to all who will be watching over my family while being away from theirs this Christmas! From one of hopefully many grateful citizens under your care every day!

Posted by: Laura Location: Madison on Dec 6, 2007 at 10:28 PM
When the city doesn't provide an alternative to cars parked on the street, I can't see how they expect to successfully be able to plow. On Saturday and Sunday, drivers were told to stay off the road. And yet, we are also told to move our cars to downtown parking garages instead of leaving them on the street. Even if free hours for parking in garages are extended, do these garages provide the needed capacity? Does increasing fines for cars left on the wrong side of the street motivate people who are unable to move their cars? It is already expensive and inconvenient to own a car in this city. Having news anchors and city officials scold downtown drivers while offering no solution doesn't help the situation. I imagine it is easy to criticize when you can afford the alternative.