Here’s some wise advice from Chief Jay Wiseman at Snoqualmie Pass Fire and Rescue: if you’re not up for a snowy drive, better stay put and wait for the weather to clear. But if you must hit the road, pack these essentials and stick to the speed limit.
Catch hope & encouragement with Erica on weekday mornings from 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM, and Sundays from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Erica:
Okay, are you ready? Because winter is about to start in earnest and that’s why Chief Jay Wiseman from Snoqualmie Pass Fire and Rescue is with us. Chief, welcome to SPIRIT 105.3. How you doing?
Chief Jay Wiseman:
Good, Erica.
Erica:
Oh, I so appreciate your time. I hear we’re about to get like two feet of snow and blizzard conditions. So Chief, what is your best advice for those of us that have to go across the passes the next few days?
Chief Jay Wiseman:
Well, I got a couple of things for folks to consider. Number one is if you’re not comfortable, you don’t feel like you’re prepared, you got the wrong tires, you’re not comfortable driving the snow, wait it out. Don’t even try. It’s going to snow pretty hard. It looks pretty significant weather event with a lot of wind and blizzard conditions. We need travelers for Snoqualmie Pass to stop overestimating their ability to drive in the snow, and to stop underestimating most of our closures on Snoqualmie Pass because of unprepared drivers; no chains, bad tires, not prepared to drive in the snow. And then the third thing is just slow down. Pay attention to the restrictions that DOT put out. I think a lot of folks get confused about the variable speed limit on Snoqualmie Pass and think that that is just a suggested speed limit. But it is actually the speed limit. So, when it says 35 miles an hour, it’s 35 miles an hour.
Erica:
You mean it?
Chief Jay Wiseman:
Yeah, that’s what they mean. So, we do have lots of troopers out monitoring for chains and they do write tickets for folks that aren’t prepared to drive over al Pass. So we have lots of state troopers that are going to be out in the storm and hopefully you don’t have to meet any of my crews.
Erica:
Yes. How do you prepare your team chief for this kind of weather?
Chief Jay Wiseman:
Well, we just pay attention to the forecast in advance. All of our trucks are chained up and ready to go. Most of our members go through tons and tons of training, so that’s really what we do. We pay attention to the weather forecast and we drive slow too. Slow it down.
Erica:
This is kind of like the Super Bowl for you guys, these kinds of weather events I’m imagining?
Chief Jay Wiseman:
Yeah, they’re pretty significant. Most of our closures are due to unprepared drivers, but every once in a while we get a weather event that closes Snoqualmie Pass and this one looks like it could be one of those type events. We’re preparing for the worst, but we’re hoping for the best.
Erica:
Believe in that with you. One more question. You recommend keeping a few essential items in your car if you’re going over the pass, what would those be?
Chief Jay Wiseman:
I would say if folks should have food and water, blankets, and extra warm clothes in their car, along right next to their tire chains.
Erica:
Absolutely. That’s right. Chief Jay Wiseman, thank you so much for all that you do. God bless you and your crews, my friend.
Chief Jay Wiseman:
Thank you. Take care.
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