‘Every storm is different’: City of Bend gives snowplow ride-along for a look at the challenges of clearing streets

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With as much as 10 inches of snow on Bend's roads and more coming down, the city of Bend has plow crews out about 15 hours a day. NewsChannel 21 got a ride and a first-hand look with a driver amid Saturday's storm.

More than a dozen city trucks are clearing Bend roads in two shifts, from early morning until early evening.

 A Saturday morning ride-along gave insight into priorities. Hospitals and schools, as well as the roads leading to those locations. 

Plow drivers face a number of challenges, as you might expect.

"The biggest challenge is traffic and parked vehicles," said Charles Swann, the city's Street Operations Division manager. "Definitely long hours, fatigue. So we make sure that we are checking in with them regularly to make sure they're, you know, getting plenty of rest."

Another challenge for snowplow operators: getting the proper traction while navigating the city's hills.  The trucks are equipped with chains and all-wheel-drive. 

The city staff includes about 30 snowplow and sanding truck drivers, with shifts running from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

About 15 trucks are out during each shift.

"Every storm is different," Swann said. "This particular storm is a bitter cold, with a very light, fluffy snow, which is fun to plow, whereas if you have a wet snow, slushy can be more of a challenge."

In the event  there's too much snow, the roads might be closed until staff can deal with the dangers.

Swann added, "If need be, we'll call in the contractors for residential (areas), that in this particular storm. We'll evaluate that later on today. Whether or not, you know, that depends on forecast accumulation, temperatures -- a lot of things go into making that decision."

To prepare for the winter conditions, staff undergo a training program every year, and newer staff are evaluated before they are put on the road.