Winter Season – November to March

Preparation for the winter season begins in the summer by servicing all snow and ice equipment. Salt bins are loaded, ice melt is ordered and delivered to all sites, and spreaders and shovels are replenished at each site. Staff call-out lists for snow removal are finalized, and then training on equipment begins. Manpower is assigned to machines and tasks. Maps of each site are updated to identify drain locations and designated areas to pile snow. Tenders for winter contractors are awarded. Meetings are held with crews. 

Storms are monitored days in advance to pinpoint the arrival time. Facilities Management staff begin driving routes at 3:00 a.m. to ensure they have the latest road conditions for our buses and our sites. Depending on when the storm attacks, presalting is done on all parking lots, sidewalks, ramps, etc. Crews are scheduled hours prior to the start of the storm and continue to work until we finish the work that needs to be done. Buses are cleaned off and ready to go.  After the storm has passed, a major clean-up begins to clear parking lots, sidewalks, ramps, walking paths, and parking lot drains. Roof drains are also checked. Stockpiles of supplies are then replenished to prepare for the next storm.

Personal preparation begins with you being aware of the forecast, listening to the news and leaving early to give yourself plenty of travel time. Ensure your vehicle is clean of all snow. Check your e-mail and district notifications for updates. Please wear proper footwear for slippery conditions. Even sites that have been plowed through the night will still be slippery. Assist where you can at sites with limited or no custodial. Your help with this is appreciated and essential to ensure the safety of our staff and students. 

Facilities Management Team
Facilities Operations