City Manager says blizzard response held; ambulance crash caused no serious injuries

City Manager Dave told the Aberdeen City Council that city crews and emergency personnel worked extended shifts during a recent blizzard and that an ambulance responding to an emergency in Groton was involved in an accident but that nobody was seriously hurt.

"We can replace an ambulance, but we can't replace the workers," Dave said, praising water-treatment, public-works and first-responder staff for keeping emergency services operating during whiteout conditions. He said plant staff stayed for extended periods, towing agencies assisted stranded motorists and public works cleared critical routes.

Dave said staff are exploring options to replace or repair the damaged ambulance, noting vehicle procurement can take "two to three years" and that crews might rebuild the vehicle by placing a new chassis under the existing capsule.

Public-works director Stu described operational challenges that slowed plows, including wind-driven snow, gusts over 60 mph and an ice layer under snow that increased wear on plow cutting edges. He said the combination of rain, warm ground and then heavy wind-driven snow made removal slower and more equipment-intensive than typical storms.

The council and staff discussed prioritized downtown clearing to allow businesses time to shovel sidewalks, and the pros and cons of experimenting with snow gates. Dave said the city is open to a slow, pilot approach if it is affordable and effective; Stu noted snow gates would change operations, extend clearing times and increase costs, and cautioned they are not a cure-all.

Council members asked whether plows were operating near school dismissals; Dave acknowledged an incident by Simmons school where a blade moved through a school corridor while children were being released and said "we'll make sure that never happens again." The presentation closed with staff saying they had learned lessons and would continue to brief the council and public on operational changes.

The council accepted the city manager's report and moved on to other business.