NYC Emergency Management's Latest Prep Talk Podcast Discusses How DSNY's Prepares for Winter Weather

Emergency Management


Press Release


For Immediate Release
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NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT’S LATEST ‘PREP TALK’ PODCAST DISCUSSES HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION PREPARES FOR WINTER WEATHER

#PrepTalkNYC {Click here to listen to episode 87}

January 4, 2023 — As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, signaling the change of seasons, New Yorkers know it’s time to prepare for inclement weather and the seemingly inevitable snowstorm. Now that the winter season has officially arrived it’s only a matter of time before we see snowflakes resulting in school closures, delayed transportation, snow shoveling, and potential snow related emergencies. Luckily, for New York City the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has its own designated “Snow Chief.” As we move further into the winter season, we will examine how DSNY, and its Snow Chief prepares for winter to help the city weather the storm.

On this episode of “Prep Talk” Christian Hourihan, assistant chief at the Department of Sanitation, also known as the “Snow Chief” discusses how the agency prepares for snowstorms, the challenges of garbage removal during snowstorms, the process of clearing streets of snow and debris, and snow removal safety tips. Hourihan also talks about the department’s biggest challenges when facing snowstorms and their role in citywide events such as the New York City Marathon.

“For Sanitation, winter season prep is a year-round thing,” said Christian Hourihan, Assistant Chief at the Department of Sanitation. “Coming out of winter, the first thing we are doing is reassessing how did we perform and changes to routes that are necessary.”

You can listen to the latest episode on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, and Spreaker.

Profile

Assistant Chief Christian Hourihan serves as the New York City Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) “Snow Chief”—working year-round in preparation to deploy 700 million pounds of salt and over 2,000 plowable vehicles. With a dual degree in Business Management and Computer Information Systems, Hourihan started what he considers “the greatest and most unexpected career” as a Sanitation Worker in the Bronx (where he was born and raised) and rose up the ranks over the course of 17 years—amassing a wealth of on-the-ground experience to make sure that DSNY is ready before the first flake falls!

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