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Indy calls for snow plow reinforcements

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – For the first time this winter, snow fall forced the City of Indianapolis to call in reinforcement digging people out of their homes.

24-Hour News 8’s went for a ride with one of the private contractors called for help.

On a day when most people are relaxing inside Andrew Parker a driver for Morgan Enterprise Grounds Maintenance was on his way to work.

“I’m definitely happy that I can come out here and I can help people by making sure they’re not going to get stuck and make sure they can get out if there’s an emergency and make sure emergency vehicles can get in here,” said Parker.

Parker’s been working as a driver for Morgan Enterprise Grounds Maintenance for about six years. His company is one of several called out for the first time this winter to clear Indianapolis’ residential streets.

“It definitely very slick out today. It’s very dangerous. You know there’s a lot of snow,” said Parker.

More than six inches of snow is the amount of snowfall required for Parker and his fellow snow plow drivers to be called out by the city. But this job isn’t as fluffy as it appears.

Parker says in addition to the slick roads, drivers overcome several barriers that makes things a little more difficult for them to make things safer for others.

“There are times when cars are too close together and we actually can’t get down through the streets,” said Parker.

The contractors were called in at 11 Sunday morning to start clearing residential streets. DPW says they have 24 hours to get the job done.