<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Dear Neighbors:<BR>
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As of today, here is the latest from the Department of Transportation's Snow Page:<BR>
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<B>At this time, Phase 2 of the Snow Emergency Plan is in effect.</B> This means that all vehicles traveling on city roadways must be equipped with snow tires, all season radials or chains. In addition, parking is prohibited on designated snow emergency routes. Citizens are encouraged to remove their vehicles from designated snow emergency routes as soon as possible in order to avoid being ticketed and towed. Residents who live near city schools equipped with a parking lot may utilize these lots to park their vehicles during a Phase 2 snow emergency. <A HREF="http://www.baltimorecity.gov/government/transportation/snow/downloads/121809_Snow%20-Transportation%20lot%20list%20of%20Schools.xls">Click here for a list of participating schools</A>. Parking on school lots is authorized only during a Phase 2 emergency. Once Phase 2 of the Snow Emergency Plan is lifted, citizens need to remove their vehicles from school lots as soon as possible. The Baltimore City Snow Team is deployed at 100% and continues to salt and plow primary and secondary roadways. Roadways remain slippery and the city strongly encourages residents to stay indoors. Citizens who must travel are advised to drive cautiously and maintain a safe distance from snow plows and other vehicles. <BR>
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Below is a release from Saturday which I did not see earlier and which I could not send because of power outage and computer related problems; still has some good info, particularly about the DOT's Snow Page.<BR>
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Sheila Dixon<BR>
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Mayor,<BR>
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Baltimore City<BR>
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250 City Hall «Baltimore Maryland 21202<BR>
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410-396-3835 « Fax: 410-576-9425<BR>
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For immediate release<BR>
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December 19, 2009<BR>
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MEDIA ADVISORY<BR>
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City of Baltimore Issues Following Advisories for Citizens<BR>
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During Snow Emergency<BR>
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Baltimore, MD (December 19, 2009): Since 10pm last evening, Baltimore City agencies have been on full alert engaging this weekend’s snow storm that has accumulated on average over 16 inches around the City thus far. As of 7:00 p.m., there hasn’t been any major emergency in the City related to the snowstorm. However, as the snow tapers off this evening, the City of Baltimore is putting out the following advisories to the citizens:<BR>
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Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management:<BR>
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The Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management activated the Emergency Operations Center at 9:00 a.m. this morning to monitor and coordinate 13 city agency’s response to the snow emergency.<BR>
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After the declaration of State of Emergency in Maryland, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) provided the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management 15 Humvees vehicles from the National Guard that is supporting fire and police departments with medic unit transportation as well as personnel transport. MEMA also provided 5 one ton spreader trucks with spreaders and 5 five ton spreader trucks for increased snow removal services.<BR>
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Department of Transportation:<BR>
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All residents are advised to continue to stay off the roads as city work crews clear primary and secondary roads into the evening. The city remains in Phase-2 of its Snow Emergency Plan that requires all vehicles have snow tires, all weather radials and chains as well as restricts parking on all “Snow Emergency Routes” in the city. Cars parked on snow emergency routes are subject to ticketing and towing.<BR>
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Additionally, all city residents and businesses are required to clear their sidewalks. Snow covered sidewalks force pedestrians to walk in the streets and jeopardize their safety. Motorists should be aware and alert for any pedestrians in the road especially on non-lit roads.<BR>
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Citizens are also being asked to assist in clearing bus stops in their neighborhoods to provide increased protection and safety for residents using public transportation.<BR>
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Fire Department:<BR>
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The Fire Department advises all residents to not use candles or stoves for heating homes throughout this snow emergency to prevent fires and/or Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Additionally, residents shouldn’t call 911 for non-life threatening emergencies and avoid parking near or in front of fire hydrants. Residents can also assist the fire department by shoveling fire hydrants.<BR>
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Health Department:<BR>
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People are encouraged to stay indoors because of low temperatures. If it's necessary to go outside, dress in several layers of warm clothing to cover exposed skin.<BR>
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Citizens are advised to know the signs of hypothermia, which can include lethargy and confusion, slurred speech, trouble walking normally and uncontrollable shivering. If you encounter a person exhibiting these signs, try to get them warm and call 911.<BR>
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For city residents with scheduled dialysis, the Health Department's Field Health is continuing the essential service of transporting dialysis patients to treatment centers. Patients with inquiries about their scheduled transport should contact: (410) 396-7007 through 10pm on Saturday evening.<BR>
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Animal Control:<BR>
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Cold temperatures are also a danger to pets. All domestic animals should be kept indoors tonight because of low temperatures. Animal Control Officers continue to work on patrol across the City<BR>
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Elderly/Disabled Population:<BR>
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The City advises all residents to check in on elderly and disabled family members, friends, and neighbors during this snow emergency. At 11:00 AM the city issued a “Robocall” message from Mayor Dixon advising nearly 50,000 elderly or disabled residents to call 311 for assistance and 911 for any emergencies.<BR>
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Homeless Services:<BR>
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The city has 460 beds available at 210 Guilford for homeless residents that include a recently opened overflow facility of 80 beds. Additionally, city outreach workers have been on the streets all day to get homeless residents into the shelter. All city residents should advise homeless individuals to seek shelter this evening.<BR>
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For continued snow emergency updates and information, residents should call 410-396-SNOW or log on to <A HREF="http://www.396SNOW.com">http://www.396SNOW.com</A>.<BR>
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Please visit our website at <A HREF="http://www.baltimorecity.gov">www.baltimorecity.gov</A> <BR>
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Go to the Snow Page for up to date info about the priority of streets to be plowed and other helpful information.<BR>
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Encourage your neighbors to shovel their sidewalks and remind them that a City Ordinance requires them to do so.<BR>
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Sharon Guida<BR>
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