For Immediate Release: February 8, 2011
Contact: Rebekah Sweeney, (608) 266-3790
Jorgensen’s Journal: Snowfall Cause for Thanks
When we have major snowfall like we did last week, I often hear people say they wished they lived in Florida or Arizona - really, anywhere without snow.
But, when blizzards hit Wisconsin, I find myself reminded of why this is such a great place to live.
It comes down to the people - the hundreds and thousands of people who, as we hunker down, get up and work to keep us safe.
I'm truly grateful this week for the police officers and state troopers who responded to countless calls for help as motorists were stranded in the snow. Let's also remember to thank the National Guardsmen and women and DNR wardens who joined in that effort.
I'm thankful for the dedicated work of emergency management teams at the county and state level. These folks coordinated reports from the National Weather Service, road crews, law enforcement, and the military to ensure critical information got out to the public and that response to the blizzard was efficient and effective. Theirs was a job well done.
We've got to thank the more than 2,000 plow operators who drove through the night and around the clock to clear the snow from roadways as quickly as possible. Their efforts allowed emergency crews to respond to 911 calls, and once the snow stopped, allowed some people to get to work. With 16-20 inches of snow falling over 48 hours, I think the fact our roads were passable at all is to be commended.
Thanks also go to the firefighters, both full-time and volunteer, who responded to carbon monoxide alarms across the region.
And, we must thank the EMTs, nurses and doctors who went above and beyond the call of duty, camping out in area hospitals to ensure that if need arose, medical care would be available. As is the case so often - you put our needs ahead of your own, and we're grateful for it.
Let's thank the school administrators and business owners who chose to shut down for the day, putting the safety of their students and employees ahead of their calendars or bottom line.
Finally, thanks go also to the Good Samaritans - -the people who helped push a stranger's car out of a ditch or shoveled their neighbor's walkway. Your random acts of kindness might not make the news, but they do make a difference.
As we count the inches of snow, let's this week also count our blessings - and thank the many people who worked through the Blizzard of 2011 to keep us safe.
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