Fort Drum winter safety courses run through mid-March

Fort Drum’s Safety Office is offering its annual Winter Driving and Snow Blower Operation courses through mid-March to help Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and family members prepare for winter conditions in Northern New York.

The courses began in early October. Registration is available by calling 315-772-0310, and classes are held at the Safety Office in Building 4884 on Jones Street. Course dates are listed in the Events section of the My Army Post app.

Preparing for winter roads

The Winter Driving course covers vehicle preparation, winter hazards, emergency supplies and driving on snow- and ice-covered roads. Safety Office acting director John Rebelo said the training is intended to reduce on-post accidents linked to unsafe behavior. He also noted that some newcomers have never driven on icy or snow-covered roads.

Rebelo advised drivers to check local forecasts before leaving because lake-effect snow can develop quickly. He recommended doubling or tripling following distance in poor conditions. The Army says lake-effect bands off Lake Ontario produce more than 300 inches of snow a year on the Tug Hill Plateau.

Drivers are encouraged to slow down, allow more time and distance for turns and stops, and stay well behind snowplows. New York law permits snow tires from Oct. 16 through April 30, requires headlights whenever windshield wipers are needed and prohibits driving with a view blocked by snow or ice.

Suggested vehicle emergency supplies include extra cold-weather clothing, blankets, a small shovel, reflective triangles, kitty litter or sand for traction, a flashlight and a fully charged phone with a charger. The 511 NY website and app provide road conditions and live traffic cameras. The My Army Post app provides Fort Drum alerts and on-post driving information.

Snow blower and installation safety

The Snow Blower Operation course covers safe starting and operation, checking for debris, directing snow, handling wet snow and ice, basic maintenance, protective clothing and ways to reduce accidents or equipment damage.

Fort Drum Police Lt. Scott Ferard advised caution at busy traffic circles. If traffic lights are out during a power outage, drivers should treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

Parking is prohibited on the shoulders of all roadways and in housing areas from Nov. 1 through April 1 for snow removal. Warning citations are issued from Nov. 2 through Nov. 15, after which citations follow.

The courses serve the Fort Drum community in Jefferson County near Watertown, while the winter-driving guidance also applies to people traveling roads in the Tug Hill and Lake Ontario lake-effect areas. The Garrison Safety Office said dozens of community members had taken the training by January 2024. A lake-effect storm on Jan. 6, 2017, dropped several feet of snow and delayed work at the installation.

The next Community Information Exchange is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at The Peak and will be livestreamed on Facebook at @drum.10thmountain. Winter driving and snow blower courses continue through mid-March. More information is available through the Fort Drum Safety Office.