Public Works
Public Works
- General
- Snow Removal
- Street Sweeping
- Mosquito Control
- Dust Control
The Public Works Department maintains all streets, parks, trails and other facilities owned by Firestone.
Public Works Director: Theo Abkes, 303-833-3544, tabkes@ci.firestone.co.us
Town of Firestone Snow Removal Plan
Snow Removal Map
Snow Priority List
The Board of Trustees for the Town of Firestone recognizes the importance of snow removal for safe passage of emergency vehicles and to facilitate safe traffic flow for motorists in ourcommunity. Our Snow Removal Plan outlines the procedures used for snow removal operations. Streets are plowed according to this plan to ensure the best time-management, resources,equipment and manpower are utilized during a storm.
Firestone maintains approximately 100 lane miles of roads and approximately 14 miles of sidewalks within Town limits. Town streets are plowed by priority: Arterial streets (main roads) with high traffic volume, Collector streets which funnel traffic from residential to Arterial streets, Rural roads, and Local streets (within subdivisions) with low traffic volume.
When the National Weather Service forecast is 50% chance or greater for snowfall the Town willapply a liquid de-icer (APEX) at the onset of the storm to prevent ice from forming. The de-icermay be applied during or after a storm on snow packed roads to break the bond on the road surface to allow for easier plowing. Once the snow has accumulated 2" or more on streets, plow trucks will plow snow and lay down a granule de-icer (Ice Slicer RS) to continue efforts of melting snow and ice. Amount and rate of product distributed is in accordance with manufacturers specifications and is controlled by a programmed on-board computer. The specifications are effective yet environmentally friendly.
Residential streets are plowed down the middle to create a passable lane. Public works makes every effort to plow snow in a manner that does not block driveways, sidewalks or parked vehicles. However, with heavier snowfall plows may leave a mound or windrow of snow along the streets edge.
Vehicles that are stranded, abandoned or parked on Priority snow routes may be ticketed and towed for impeding snow removal operations according to Firestone Municipal Code Section 10.10.040. Vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. Vehicle storage location is determined by the Firestone Police Department.
Plowing or piling snow from private or commercial driveways, parking lots or property onto Town streets is prohibited by Firestone Municipal Code Section 12.28.140B. It is the responsibility of the mail service customer to clear a safe path for mail delivery to mailboxes. Refer to USPS Domestic Mail Manual 3.1.4 Clear Approach- "Customers must keep the approach to their mailboxes clear of obstructions to allow safe access for delivery. If USPS employees are impeded in reaching a mail receptacle, the postmaster may withdraw delivery service."
Currently, the Town has eight employees that possess a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and nine pieces of snow removal equipment. Public Works deploys the following snow removal equipment: six plow trucks consisting of two tandem axle trucks and one single axle truck, a one-ton truck, two pickups with front plow, road grader and a snow blower. Shifts will vary depending on the size and severity of the snowstorm. In the event of a major snowstorm employees will be divided into 12-hour shifts and will continue until roads are safe for travel. If a snowstorm intensifies to the point of jeopardizing employees and equipment, snow removal will cease until visibility is restored. However, all employees and equipment will remain on standby in the case of a life-threatening emergency.
The Firestone Public Works Director has overall responsibility for the snow and ice removal operations. The Director will remain in constant communication with Public Works employees, Police Departments, Fire Departments and other agencies to provide immediate access where a life-threatening emergency exists. He determines snow removal shifts, how many employees/heavy equipment operators are needed per shift, and number/type of equipment to deploy. These factors will vary according to size, duration, and accumulation of each snowstorm.
The Town is engaged in a continuing effort to provide improved snow removal services focusing on driver safety, fast and efficient snow removal, and cost effective procedures.
