By Cheryl Higley
For 27 years, George Caridakis, equipment repair supervisor for Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools, has helped manage the mammoth task of snow & ice management for the large district. That longevity and dedication is worthy of all-star status, but Caridakis says it is Grounds Maintenance Coordinator Dale Taylor who deserves an A+.
Taylor joined the District 12 years ago and became department coordinator in 2003. Since then, Caridakis has seen Taylor put a plan in place that takes into account the nuances of servicing 189 sites over 21.812 million square feet (plus supervising another 61 sites completed by subcontractors) in a diverse weather market.
"Dale has revamped our snow operation to a level of professionalism, efficiency and forward thinking," Caridakis says.
The district averages seven recordable events, which may last several days. Given its location, Fairfax County often experiences a mish-mash of precipitation. The southeast section of the district might see rain or ice (influenced by the Potomac River or Chesapeake Bay) while the northwest side might receive six inches of snow. "We experience it all (rain to snow, freezing rain to snow, snow to rain)," Caridakis says.
Snow & ice management for schools poses interesting challenges including limits on staff, operating hours, access to additional equipment and bulk materials storage; the timing of storms, which impacts busing and school schedules; not to mention having to dodge sledders and cars abandoned in parking lots. Trying to manage those constraints while trying to keep schools open and providing a safe environment for bus drivers, students, teachers and staff, requires tremendous attention to detail—which is Taylor's forte, Caridakis says.
Operations center or online completion: During storms, Taylor (standing) is in the command center managing operations and helping to coordinate the online completion system that gives the superintendent, principals, transportation department and security access to the real-time information to determine whether to open or close schools.
Among the changes Taylor has implemented:
- Changing the normal workday start time from 7 a.m. to 6 a.m., eliminating an hour of overtime since the crews need to start treating the high schools two hours before the 7 a.m. bell.
- Upgrading communication to include a dedicated department radio system as well as an interactive GPS system to track locations and services.
- An online completion system eight years ago that is uploaded in real time from the command center. The information is accessible by the superintendent, transportation department, school security and school principals, who work together to determine whether to open or close the schools.
"Dale is always willing to explore new equipment, ideas and ways of doing business," Caridakis says.
With any snow & ice management operation, advanced planning is key to ensure a successful winter season. Taylor starts planning in July (the new budget year), evaluating equipment and what needs purchased or repaired, support contracts for contractors and materials, staffing and training.
The season kicks off in November with a group operations overview and training session. Drivers and operators are assigned routes or schools, subcontractors meet the staff and all are trained on safety, equipment operation and material loading. The event also includes the fun "snowdeo"—a driver obstacle course with fully equipped trucks.
Before the season starts, Grounds Maintenance Coordinator Dale Taylor leads a "snowdeo," a driver obstacle course and training event to get the operators prepared for winter services.
When an event begins, Caridakis and another staff member assist Taylor in the operations center with dispatching, paperwork and data entry for the online completion system.
"This is when Dale resembles a NFL foot ball coach, pacing back and forth on the sideline of a big game. He is in problem-solving mode, and when the team gets strung out in the 10th hour of a long push, Dale offers encouraging words on the radio," Caridakis says. "At day's end, with all staff members present and accounted for, we talk as a team about what went well and what we need to improve on. It's a team event and Dale's the leader."
By the numbers:
Fairfax County School District
• 250 schools and centers (FCPS plows 189 sites, contracted 61 sites)
• 1,272 school buses on the road each day
• 177,500 enrollment
• 21,811.839 plowable square feet
• 62 FCPS staff
Cheryl Higley is editorial director of Snow Business magazine.
