How Rochester helps residents new and old prepare for winter

INTERVIEWER: We know now that the first snowstorm of the season, it swept through most of the state, which means most new Minnesotans have now been properly baptized. Duluth picked up the most snow, it's over 10 inches. Twin Cities, we had around 3 inches.

Down in Rochester, we picked up 1 to 2 inches of snow overnight. Folks with the Public Works Department and other organizations have been helping prepare new Minnesotans for winter. Earlier this fall, they put on a second annual Rochester Snow Summit, a winter preparedness event organized by the city. Joining me to share more about the summit is Jake Busho, the Public Works Street Maintenance Supervisor and one of the organizers of the Rochester Snow Summit. Hi, Jake.

JAKE BUSHO: Hi.

INTERVIEWER: Also on the line with me is Jessica Thornton, the Aging Services Program Manager at Family Service Rochester. Family Service participated in the summit. Hi, Jessica.

JESSICA THORNTON: Hi. Thank you for having me.

INTERVIEWER: All right, Jake, start off with you. This is the second year you put this on. And what inspired you to do this?

JAKE BUSHO: Well, we kind of spiraled the idea off of St. Paul kind of held a snow summit, but more for their ally captains and how they do snow removal up there. And we thought, being with all of the incoming residents and visitors that we get to this city, what better way that we could help try to produce some information and some good housekeeping measures for the residents and visitors in our city, and then we just kept growing it and expanding our outreach and trying to provide that information for citizens.

INTERVIEWER: So describe for me a little bit about the summit. I mean, what groups were there? How was the information relayed?

JAKE BUSHO: So the groups that are all there are just mainly all the public works first responders. And then we reach out. We had MnDOT here this year. And then we have our Transit Division here. So anything and everything that you could possibly see that is basically city-owned departments that were also here.

We had like ARPU, we had some energy resource partners here that we're talking about snow removal around fire hydrants, gas meters, all those safety tips that you can have as well as our sidewalk snow removal. How do we clear the roads? And then we tried gearing it towards more with a little bit younger generation, having a little sandbox or the touch a truck feel. And then we started branching out to other partners that we also invited to be here to offer or what services they offer to the community.

INTERVIEWER: So, Jessica, the organization you work for, Family Service Rochester, you're at the event. And why were you there? And what are some of the services people can use?

JESSICA THORNTON: Yeah. So we were really pleased to be a part of this year summit. Our purpose really to be there was to inform residents of two options. We help folks age 60 or better, or adults with disabilities with chore services such as snow removal. And so we're serving folks both in Rochester and some of the rural communities around the Rochester area.

And then also, I had a lot of great conversations with families and individuals about potentially volunteering to help an older adult or a person in need of assistance with snow removal. So that was really our purpose was to spread the word that there's both opportunities if you're new to the area and you're unsure of how you're going to get the service done, or if you're interested in helping a community member with their snow removal.

INTERVIEWER: And if they can't, someone can't go to the event, can they still sign up to volunteer?

JESSICA THORNTON: Absolutely. So either if they are looking for the service themselves, they would reach out to Family Service Rochester at our phone number. Or we have an online registration area that we post all of our volunteer opportunities. So we try to make volunteering a really easy and flexible way for them to sign up. We offer a variety of different activities.

Snow removal is just one of the many volunteer opportunities that we have, where the Meals on Wheels provider in the community, we do grocery shopping, transportation, really a wide variety of different things that may pique someone's interest.

INTERVIEWER: And Jake, I'm imagining Rochester has a large international population. I mean, partly or mainly due to the Mayo Clinic. So you're dealing with a lot of people that maybe haven't dealt with winter before?

JAKE BUSHO: Yeah. We deal with a lot of people that haven't dealt with the typical Minnesota winter, let alone being in a third largest city in the state. So we have a lot of regulations. Even on parking, we have parking meters. We have sidewalk restrictions or stuff that they have to follow, just trying to help them out, understand it the best that we can.

INTERVIEWER: And, Jessica, people who stop by your booth. What stories did they relay? I mean, what were they talking to you about?

JESSICA THORNTON: Well, I mean the families, the kiddos were having a great time doing the different games that we had. And I had a lot of folks say, oh, I have a neighbor that could use this service. Oh, well, I'm not there yet, but I may need this, so I'm going to-- I may need it in a few years. So can I get your information?

So a lot of those conversations. They either somebody or they may self maybe looking for some assistance because we can help folks, maybe they want to get out and do it when it's 1 or 2 inches. But they want someone else to come out, so it's a little safer for them when it's 6 inches of snow. So we can really be flexible with people. But a lot of those conversations of maybe they needed in the future, or they know somebody who's needing the service.

INTERVIEWER: And Jake, I imagine you've been through many, many winters, but did you hear anything from anyone learned something new?

JAKE BUSHO: Yeah. We do hear a lot of new helpful tips that they potentially don't even think about. And then it's just kind of a good thing for us to show them what equipment that they see around there, what we are actively trying to do. And we're trying to limit our salt use, trying to keep that out of the storm waters as well. So it's nice educational pieces that they can pick up for sure.

INTERVIEWER: And so same question for both of you. Jessica, I'm going to start with you. So what's your best tip for surviving a Minnesota winter?

JESSICA THORNTON: Oh, gosh. I would say, especially for our clients, is it's probably just better to have someone come and assist you with that snow removal. We certainly want people to stay living independently, but we want them to stay safe.

So if there's any concern or question-- today we didn't get a lot of snow, but it's very icy out there-- so we encourage people to reach out to us if they are at all concerned about making sure that their sidewalks and driveways are clear.

INTERVIEWER: And reaching out-- reaching out does not mean that you are a lesser human being.

JESSICA THORNTON: Absolutely not. Our whole goal in our department is to help people stay living independently. And those needs change over time. And so we're here to assist with any of those tasks. And it really does change over time.

And then we encourage snow volunteering for snow removal, it can be an individual. It can be a great family task. If you have someone up the street from your house, maybe you do it as a family. We also have a lot of businesses that help, so we do really-- it's a great way to give back to the community.

INTERVIEWER: And Jake, I imagine from your perch, you've got some good tips for surviving winter.

JAKE BUSHO: Yeah. I think our main tip that we always say is be weather-aware, prepare yourself. Give yourself extra time, especially traveling not just in our city but all over, any roadway system can be unexpected. Like she had said, it was very icy this morning and the light, fluffy snow blows around so the conditions can change in a heartbeat.

INTERVIEWER: Well, thank you very much for your time.

JESSICA THORNTON: Thank you for having us. Appreciate it.

INTERVIEWER: That was Jake Busho, the Public Works Street Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Rochester, and Jessica Thornton, the Aging Services Program Manager at Family Services Rochester.