Blizzaster After Action Report Released

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 20, 2011 8:40PM

AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato

The City Office of Emergency Management and Communications released its "after action" report on the Blizzard of 2011 this afternoon and it offers some helpful suggestions to ensure the enduring images of cars stranded on Lake Shore Drive never happen again.

Like have an actual plan in place.

One of the common sense suggestions includes adding more breaks in the median and exit points along the Drive to help prevent the kind of life-threatening pileup that occurred during the snowstorm. During the mayoral campaign Gery Chico and Miguel del Valle argued that emergency vehicles would have had quicker access to stranded motorists and traffic stalled behind accidents could have been diverted to the southbound lanes before being buried in snow had there had been more breaks in the median and less planters separating the lanes.

• Here are some other suggestions from the 12-page report.
• Explore initiating CTA re-routes based on conditions observed on LSD.
• Develop a coordinated operational plan for Lake Shore Drive that includes “clearly identified triggers for a systematic shut down.”
• Develop a parking plan for towed vehicles and reiterate this plan to private tow contractors.
• Stage CTA buses to be used as warming centers for pedestrians if an extreme weather event is anticipated.
• Develop a parking plan for towed vehicles and reiterate this plan to private tow contractors.
• Keep a list of truck contractors available with National Incident Management Systems classified equipment and resources.
• Identify alternate shelters (north, south central and west) close to CTA train stations.
• Enhance inclusion of the private sector early in the planning process.
• Explore issuing interoperable radios to responding personnel to ensure redundant communication if needed.

Blizzards have cost mayor their jobs. We would expect Mayor Emanuel to implement this with a quickness.