OSWEGO COUNTY- Looking for help with snow removal? The Oswego County Emergency Management Office (EMO) reminds residents that phone banks are now open for people to call to request free assistance with clearing snow. Assistance is provided by volunteer organizations and is available to residents only. Residents can call 211 or the Oswego County phone bank at 315-349-3330 to make their request.
“Phone banks opened this morning for residents to request free assistance with snow removal, and approximately 75 requests have already been received,” said Oswego County Emergency Management Office Director Cathleen Palmitesso. “Of those callers, 70% have reported that they have a mobility impairment or medical condition that prevents them from clearing snow. Call takers are working to prioritize requests to ensure that those most in need are the first to get help. Residents are reminded that due to high demand, there is no guarantee that every caller will be able to receive these services.”
“Volunteers from Team Rubicon are set to arrive tomorrow and will be sent throughout the county to provide assistance,” continued Palmitesso. “The Volney Volunteer Fire Department is generously hosting the volunteers while they are here, and meals and other necessities will be provided by the American Red Cross.”
Team Rubicon will be providing assistance with clearing snow to ensure residents and emergency services are able to safely and quickly enter and exit the residence. Those requesting assistance will need to be home at the time of service to complete a waiver for Team Rubicon.
Volunteers will be helping with shoveling, clearing of exterior vents and meters, and roof snow removal. They will not be going on top of roofs to shovel, but can remove snow from roofs by using a roof rake. Volunteers will be wearing clothing that identifies them as members of Team Rubicon.
The Oswego County phone bank operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while 211 representatives are available 24/7 for calls. Homeowners will have to provide their name, address, contact information, details about the snow removal needed, and any complicating factors, such as medical concerns, accessibility or functional needs, etc.
“Snow removal assistance started earlier than anticipated thanks to a second volunteer group that arrived in Oswego County this morning,” said Palmitesso. “The Mennonite Disaster Relief Team from the Finger Lakes region is out responding to requests in the Fulton and Volney areas today.”
While snow is melting due to the warmer temperatures, residents are reminded that rain accumulating on top of snow makes the snow heavier, causing more challenges shoveling and added weight on top of roofs.
“We continue to see more structural collapses due to the heavy snowfall on roofs,” said Oswego County Fire Coordinator Shane Laws. “As of today, we have 53 confirmed collapses reported to 911, and we’re expecting to see more. The recent rainfall has made snow on roofs heavier, posing an increased risk for collapses. Additionally, colder temperatures overnight are causing water to freeze, making roof clearing more difficult. To avoid injury, residents should contact a professional for help removing snow and ice from roofs. Anyone experiencing a structural collapse or at risk of one should call 911.”
The Oswego County Special Operations Team is being assisted with structural collapse support by New York Task Force 2 (NY-TF2). The teams are assisting in life-safety incidents, particularly in situations where victims may be trapped or operations extend beyond the capabilities of local fire departments. NY-TF2 will continue to be in Oswego County in a reduced capacity until Friday.
Residents calling the snow removal assistance phone bank should be aware that they will not receive help on the same day that they request it. Those approved for services can expect volunteers to arrive the next day, at the earliest. Since there is no guarantee that all requests will be responded to, residents are encouraged to continue pursuing other avenues for snow removal.
While snow removal provided by the volunteers of Team Rubicon is at no cost to the homeowner, residents that obtain alternative snow removal assistance will be responsible for paying for the service. The Oswego County Purchasing Department has compiled a list of snow removal services in the county that residents can reach out to if needed. The list has been updated to include information on which companies may be able to provide roof clearing. To view the list, visit https://www.oswegocounty.com/departments/public_information/snow_resources.php.
Residents are encouraged to follow safety tips from National Grid on snow and ice removal by visiting https://www.nationalgridus.com/News/2025/02/National-Grid-Offers-Safety-Reminders-for-Clearing-Snow-and-Ice-at-Your-Home-or-Business/.
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