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Mono City fire commissioner urges county to clear driveway berms after recent storms
Summary
A Mono City fire commissioner told the Board of Supervisors that county plowing during a recent storm left four‑foot berms blocking driveways and impeded emergency response; he urged operators to reverse‑plow driveways when practical and asked the county to improve communication and resources for winter clearing.
At the Feb. 18 Mono County Board of Supervisors meeting, Mono City Fire Protection District Commissioner Gary Nelson told the board that recent county snow‑plowing left four‑foot berms in front of driveways that obstructed emergency access and immobilized vehicles.
Nelson, who said he lived in Mono City since 1987 and previously worked as a Caltrans equipment operator, described several incidents during the recent storm: a four‑foot ice berm had to be manually chopped out of his driveway, the apron in front of the fire hall was not cleared — potentially delaying response — and one firefighter, John Wiernicki, had a vehicle rendered immobile after snow was pushed under the wheel wells. Nelson said he would send the board a letter with his full account and asked the county to consider reversing the plow to scoop driveways where feasible.
He told the board that when he plowed state highways he followed an instruction to both open the road and clear driveways; he said county operators are capable of the same technique, and cited past examples where some operators had cleared driveways. Nelson acknowledged county resource constraints but recommended improved communication with residents about timing and follow‑up clearing.
The board thanked Nelson for bringing the issue to its attention and said staff would follow up.
Ending: Nelson asked the county to consider allocating additional operator time or adjusting protocols to reduce driveway berms and to improve communications with Mono City residents about snow‑clearing timing.
