Responding in the snow

Conditions have been rough throughout the area.

The conditions right now in Grand Chute with the blowing snow are terrible.
    
Checking with local officials in the Fox Valley area, there were dozens of reports of cars in ditches Thursday morning.
    
As the snow slowed in the afternoon so did the amount of cars sliding off the roads.
    
We made the trip down to Fond du Lac Thursday morning in relatively good driving conditions and saw just two cars in the ditch along the way.
    
First responders with the Fond du Lac Fire Department actually had a pretty quiet morning.    
    
They responded to a few minor incidents, but say responding to a call in this weather is as tricky for them as anybody else.    

"As the snow builds up and the depth of the snow builds, our ambulances ride so low to the ground and they are really prone to getting hung up in parking lots and snow banks. So a lot of times when we get dispatched we request a plow to the scene with us and plow us at least to the hospital,” said Assistant Chief Steve Beer, Fond du Lac Fire Department.
    
Now these are a few good tips from the fire department in the event you find yourself in a ditch.

• Stay in your car. You're chances of being injured are much higher if you get out and are near the roadway.
• Keep your car full of gas so it can keep you warm if you need to wait for a ride.
• Have your cell phone to call for help.
• Have some food, water and blankets just in case.
• Also, a shovel and some salt or sand if you can possibly dig yourself out.     

There is a towing ban in effect in Outagamie County on Highway 41 and 441. That means if you do slide off the road your car won't be towed until sometime Friday after the ban is lifted.