Prince George’s
County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) will conduct
its Annual Snow and Ice Dry Run exercise on Friday, October 26, 2018, beginning
at 4 a.m.
“In
the previous winter season, DPW&T staff mobilized for fifteen (15) snow and
ice events, during what was termed by weather forecasters as a mild
season,” said DPW&T Acting Director Gwendolyn Clerkley. “This winter
weather season, we will continue to work to ensure that our roadways are
cleared and safe for the motorists in Prince George’s County, and to enhance
communications with the residents.”
Media
is invited to participate in a ride-along with drivers, interview the staff,
and/or join command staff at DPW&T’s state-of-the-art Traffic Response and
Information Partnership (TRIP) Center located at 8414 D’Arcy Road in
Forestville. The TRIP Center is the hub for DPW&T’s coordination of snow
and emergency related activities with public safety agencies, state and
regional transportation management centers.
The
Dry Run provides an opportunity for inclement weather emergency procedures to
be tested before the winter weather arrives. To effectively respond, more than
400 DPW&T employees, engineers, administrative staff, project coordinators
and bus drivers, as well as crews from other County agencies that partner with
DPW&T in snow and ice operations, are assigned to a wide range of jobs
including snowplow drivers, safety inspectors, supply monitors and customer
service representatives.
During
the Dry Run, drivers follow their assigned routes to familiarize themselves
with the roads, time their runs and identify any hazardous road conditions that
need to be addressed. The Department conducts safety inspections of all
vehicles and evaluates operational procedures and communication systems to
implement improvements before inclement weather hits.
For more information and/or to schedule a ride-along, contact Paulette Jones at (240)712-0298.
Additionally, find more information on our website news page or follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/PGCountyDPWT.
WHO :
DPW&T
Staff
WHAT:
Prince
George’s County Dry Run Exercise in Preparation of Emergency Weather Conditions
WHEN:
Friday, October 26, 2018
5 a.m. to 10 a.m. (ride-alongs)
WHERE:
TRIP Center
8414 D’Arcy Road
Forestville, MD