Thank you: Those who work during the snow storm

Story originally published on Monday, January 6

(VERSAILLES, Ind.) – Most of us have been able to stay inside and watch the snowfall from our homes. 

However, there are many people in our area who have been out in the thick of things since the snow began on Sunday. 

Snow Plow Drivers

State, county and city road crews have been working around the clock since the snow began. 

The Ripley County Highway Department has 16 trucks and after working on Sunday, they went back out from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday. After taking a short break, they will be back on the roads at 4 p.m. Monday. 

Meanwhile, the Dearborn County Highway Department are also in the midst of two 12-hour days after starting their snow plows early Sunday. 

Police

Local police departments are not only responding to crashes, but also answering the call for other emergencies that happen regardless of the weather, such as domestic incidents. 

We spoke with representatives from the sheriff’s offices in Ripley and Franklin County.

Deputies at both departments are helping dispatchers get to work, while the Ripley County Jail Commander even provided rides to jailers to get to work this morning. 

Fire Departments

In the fire service, volunteers typically respond from their homes to the firehouse during normal situations. Versailles is among the departments where volunteers are staying at the station throughout the day incase of an emergency. 

In Metamora, a young community member used a skid steer to plow at the firehouse to allow firetrucks and ambulances to leave the station. 

“You would not let us pay you and I didn’t get your name, you are greatly appreciated,” a Metamora firefighter said. 

Letts EMS  has also increased their staffing in Franklin County due to poor road conditions. 

Medical Professionals 

Despite the storm, it is business as usual for several departments at Decatur County Memorial Hospital. 

It’s not only nurses in the emergency room who are working but several different departments.  Pharmacy, Oncology, Outpatient Clinic, Primary Care, Med/Surg, Surgery, Dietary and Maintenance are all working.