• Review the calendar and know that back-to-back large- scale resident events can really impact your snow removal costs if a significant snow event were to occur during that timeframe.
• Equipment quantity and sizing should be reviewed long before the following season. Spare parts should also be ordered during this timeframe.
Fall
When the bite of crisp autumn air is felt on your drive to work in the morning, your snow removal plans and preparations should be coming to a close. The cold, fresh air is a reminder for many to begin planning for winter, but your associations will thank you for being ahead of the curve! Fall is the time to communicate snow removal expectations to your residents, provide slip, trip, and fall reminders, and ensure that final preparations are underway. Fall tasks should include:
• Ensure the fuel supply process and accounts are online, and staff or vendors are updated accordingly.
• Equipment should be returned from the summer repair work during this time.
• Ensuring plow blades, shovels, and snow blowers are coated with a non-stick spray, and equipment and vehicle bodies are coated with a moisture-repellent rust inhibitor, are best practices that should be done before snow flies.
• Determine communication preferences and methods with staff and vendors. Snowstorms have no schedule, so off-the-clock communication plans need to be in place.
Winter Summer
On those hot and humid summer days, snow can be the furthest thing from our minds, but this is when proper preparation can really pay off during those cold months ahead. Reviewing bulk salt pricing, holiday event schedules, and operational budgets all contribute to an informed, well-developed operational plan. Summer is a great time to avoid surprises the following winter. Here are a few examples of summer tasks:
• Holiday schedules should be known a year in advance. Address staffing or vendor needs now if a holiday falls on a weekend in December or January.
• Inventory bagged or bulk salt in storage to inform your fall purchasing needs.
• Schedule equipment for maintenance and repair. Plows are quicker and easier to repair in July rather than October.
The time has come to showcase the preparation work that your team has done all year! The winter months are the main event and can be one of the best ways to serve your residents, both for their safety and comfort. Winter management tasks can include:
• Documenting snow events is a best practice; noting dates and snow amounts are great records to have year over year. This can help inform budget projections, billing totals, and staffing levels for future seasons.
• Pay attention to long-term forecasts, ground temperatures, and wind chills each week. Consider whether a custom forecast service would be a good fit for your location.
• Ensure points of contact are listed for special events and rentals so they can be included in any snow removal communications as needed. Equipment breakdowns can happen, staff members can get sick, but communication must remain at the forefront of your operations.
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