The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Police may alter response policies in severe weather

Parade to mark Memorial Day in Lebanon
6:01 p.m.
Lebanon updates law banning vicious dogs
5:59 p.m.
Emergency response team offers training
5:57 p.m.
4-H Club helps erect flag pole at Bentley Woods
5:55 p.m.
City honors life of Lebanon marshal
5:47 p.m.
> More headlines

By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer 7:04 PM Friday, February 10, 2012

This weekend is one of a few appearances by snow this season, and a winter weather advisory remains until noon today as up to two inches of accumulation is possible.

Only 13 days in December and January recorded trace amounts of snow, according to Meteorologist Don Hughes of the National Weather Service in Wilmington. The Cincinnati area is 10 inches below normal snowfall levels.

With the lack of harsh weather this season, Hamilton police have implemented a deferred emergency response only once after too many crashes overwhelmed staff during a January ice storm.

As freezing rain fell for hours Jan. 20 and overnight, Hamilton’s dispatchers received more than 200 calls in two hours, said Lt. John Nethers, traffic commander. More than 115 were for traffic-related incidents such as non-injury accidents or abandoned cars.

Nethers said the patrol shift supervisor used his discretion and alerted dispatchers that officers would only respond to the most serious calls, such as homicide or active fights.

Nethers said a routine crash ties up an officer for one hour, so when the deferred response is in place only crashes with certain criteria - hit-skip, injury, suspected OVI operator, traffic flow disturbance or city property - are responded to.

Middletown police Lt. Scott Reeve said the department doesn’t have an official policy related to emergency response during severe weather.

“When it’s busy, dispatchers have asked if they can report it later,” Reeve said. “As long as we have the manpower, we will respond.”

In his 23 years on the force, Nethers said use of the deferred emergency response is sporadic.

“It doesn’t have to be traffic related,” Nethers said. “It’s been busy for other reasons; on a Friday or Saturday we might get 15 to 20 serious fight calls.”

Nethers said, as an example, during a power outage or severe weather, the majority of the shift officers might be stationed at intersections to direct traffic and unable to respond to minor calls.

“We’ll send officers before the bad spot to block the road,” Nethers said. “It does enhance safety a little bit.”

Winter driving tips

- Accelerate slowly on snow or ice to avoid sliding

- Brake early and slowly. Never slam brakes

- Do not use cruise control on snow and ice

- Remove snow and ice from vehicle’s windows and lights to insure visibility

- Check vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids and lights

- Leave ample time to reach destination safely

Source: Ohio Department of Transportation

Share this article