Washington Guard mobilized for snow removal

  • Published
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. (AFNS) --  The Washington National Guard officials plan to mobilize up to 200 citizen Soldiers and Airmen over the next few days in response to record snow fall in the Spokane area.

Their mission starting Jan. 7 will focus on removing snow, which has accumulated on the roofs of area schools.

"The unprecedented snow accumulation has necessitated this unique measure in order to ensure the safety of school structures," said 1st Lt. Keith Kosik, the state public affairs officer for the Washington National Guard.

The additional provision of personnel and resources stems from an emergency proclamation issued by Gov. Chris Gregoire on Jan. 6.

The proclamation authorizes Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenberg, the state adjutant general, to use the Washington National Guard to aid state and local jurisdictions in their response efforts to recent winter storms.

"We have broken nearly every snow record imaginable in the series of storms we have seen in the last three weeks," said Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. "Our community needs this help."

Guard officials are working with Spokane County officials, who have prioritized the clearing of school roofs. The Associated Press reported that schools in the Cheney and Medical Lake school districts will get the first assistance.

The National Weather Service has estimated that the existing snow is placing a load of about 25 pounds per square foot roof on roofs designed to hold 30 to 40 pounds.

Rain forecast to follow the snow this week will add significant new weight, the agency told the Associated Press.

Lieutenant Kosik said many schools are closed because of the snow accumulation and will probably not reopen until the Guard members' work is complete.

Since Dec. 30, shifts of Airmen from the 141st Air Refueling Wing of the Washington Air National Guard have used snow removal vehicles to clear roads in the Spokane community.

The 141st's Logistics Readiness Supply Warehouse at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., has also been damaged by excessive snow accumulation. Multiple truss failures has resulted in 4-inch sag in the roof, Lieutenant Kosik said.

The warehouse has been evacuated and a building assessment will be conducted to determine the extent of the damage and how to repair the bowing beams. 

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page