Frisco has seven sanders, one of which has been loaded since last Friday, Frisco Public Works Director Gabe Johnson said during a Jan. 7 Frisco City Council meeting. Sanders are trucks that spread sand on roads during a freeze to give cars more traction on icy roads.
Starting Thursday at 6 a.m., the Public Works Department will run the sanders on 12-hour shifts 24 hours every day until the weather event ends, he said.
“Hopefully it’s only a couple days worth of stuff and then we’ll be through it,” he said.
How it works
The city is broken into quadrants to spread out the sanders with a focus on bridges, culverts and major thoroughfares, Johnson said. The sanders will also go to residential areas if the police or fire departments need them to, he said.
“Typically we will hit the fire stations but if it’s snow like chief is anticipating, we probably won’t hit the fire stations unless they really need it,” Johnson said. “If PD needs us to come hit an entrance or an exit for them, we’ll come hit it.”
What the experts say
According to the Public Works Department’s cold weather tips website, residents are encouraged to take the following precautions as temperatures drop:
- Drip indoor faucets to prevent their pipes from freezing
- Remove garden hoses from outside faucets and insulate them with covers or rags
- Wrap all exposed pipes outdoors or in unheated indoor areas
- Cover vents around the house’s foundation
- Turn off sprinkler systems to prevent any ice on sidewalks, streets or driveways
Johnson said if a resident’s pipes freeze and burst they can contact the Public Works Department 24/7 line at 972-292-5800 or by going through the MyFrisco App. Any local water pipe-related 911 calls will also be dispatched to the city’s Public Works staff, he said.
“Most people, it’s a panic situation so they’re probably going to call 911 and that’s fine,” Johnson said. “Their dispatch will tell our dispatch and we’ll get somebody out.”
For residents with outdoor pools, the city recommends:
- Making sure the pool has an adequate amount of water to ensure the equipment runs properly
- Ensuring the pool’s freeze protector is working properly to prevent broken pool equipment
