Feb. 02--Chicago police and paramedics are having the same issues navigating the city as everyone else -- side streets aren't plowed and the snow often sits higher than the bottom of cars.
"We haven't had any issues I'm aware of other than the fact it's a pain in the neck," a Chicago police supervisor said. "And everybody's dealing with that."
Police Department supervisors have been warning patrol officers of the risks of getting stuck and to avoid traveling side streets.
Some officers are parking their cars at intersections, putting on their lights and walking to calls in the middle of blocks if the snow is too high, police said.
"Whatever works, that's what we're telling them," another supervisor said.
Some officers have even been getting stuck trying to get out of department lots. Others have been stuck on side streets, like many of the city residents.
City ambulances were getting stuck on side streets and have required a push and or other firefighters to dig them out. The vehicles are rear-wheel drive but have "some weight on them," Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said.
"We've had a couple cases where ambulances have responded to replace ambulances but no critical care incidents that I've heard of," he said.
A lot of the stuck ambulances have stopped at their destination and are treating patient when they realize they can't move. Most have called for fire engines or trucks to come and the department members dig out the ambulance and give it a push to get it on its way. In a couple cases, they've called for replacement ambulances.
"You got five guys and shovels, they dig it out and push. Usually you just have to get it out of a pocket," Langford said. "But they're trying not to go down the middle of streets that are messed up. They'll go to an intersection or corner and try to bring the patient out, walk down the street if necessary."
