BUFFALO, N.Y. - Mayor Byron W. Brown, his executive team, and city department heads announce the completion and release of the city’s 2023-2024 Winter Snow Plan. The plan has been filed with the Buffalo Common Council and is publicly available for viewing on the city’s website.
“I’m proud of all the work department heads and staff have done to prepare the Snow Plan,” said Mayor Brown. “This plan is comprehensive and will help our city and community members prepare for the winter season.”
Among other topics, the plan discusses snow removal, Buffalo police and fire emergency response, community support, parking protocols, and communication protocols. Elements generated by Mayor Brown’s Storm Response Task Force, that impact operations, have been included in the plan.
Highlights from the 2023-2024 Winter Snow Plan include the following:
Snow-Fighting Equipment: The City of Buffalo Department of Public Works maintains a Snow Fleet of 36 plow trucks that will be used to plow streets and apply salt, and 14 front loaders that will be used to remove heavy snow. Additionally, four new snowplows are anticipated to arrive before the end of the year.
Emergency Snow Removal: The city has budgeted $1 million dollars to be used for emergency snow removal across the city. The funding will be allocated to private contractors. The funding is a 350 percent increase from the 2022-2023 winter season.
Variable Message Signage (VMS) or Digital Message Boards: Originally implemented in the 2022-2023 winter season, the City of Buffalo will place multiple VMS boards in high traffic areas to deliver messaging about an impending weather event. The message boards will serve as an added warning for motorists and residents.
BuffAlert Notifications in Multiple Language Translations: The city of Buffalo operates an emergency text and email messaging system called BuffAlert. It delivers important weather event information and updates and can be customized by users to provide information in 66 different languages. The languages include, but are not limited to, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Karen, Swahili, and French. The non-English language option of BuffAlert can be accessed at the following https://www.buffalony.gov/buffalert
Emergency Warming Shelters: Depending on the type of storm expected, emergency shelters may be opened and advertised to residents ahead of the storm. A decision will be made prior to an winter weather event which locations will be opened. Once selected, the department of Community Services, along with its partners, will staff these shelters. The shelters will have cots, water, and food. The sites designated as warming shelters include the JFK Community Center, Tosh Collins Community Center, Peter Machnica Community Center, Gloria
J. Parks Community Center, Asarese-Matters Community Center, Delavan-Grider Community Center, West Side Community Services, Lincoln Fieldhouse, and the North Buffalo Community Center.
The full Snow Plan can be found at: https://www.buffalony.gov/Snowplan