Some people we rely on a lot for our well-being. Police officers and firefighters come to mind. They’re here to protect us or to get us out of a tight spot. With December now gone, I think it’s safe to add to that pantheon of public-safety workers the crews that keep our streets clear of snow and ice.

For more than two weeks they were out there working long hours, making sure we could get to our jobs or to school or to places that just maybe we didn’t have to go in one of the worst – and longest – winter storms to hit Renton in a very long time.

Still, they took their lumps of coal from residents angry that they weren’t clearing their neighborhood streets of snow. Well, I am sorry, but that is an unrealistic request. And one that belittles an often heroic effort to keep our major streets clear for everyone.

There is only so much a crew of roughly 20 workers can do, working 12-hour shifts – and leading up to the one holiday when everyone should have time to spend with their families.

There rest is up to us. These last two weeks have been a true test of our preparedness in the face of disaster, the type that we can expect with regularity.

Nature threw this disaster, not a massive earthquake or a funny looking mushroom cloud over Seattle. Snow can make a bridge impassable just as easily as an earthquake that sends it tumbling to the ground.

So, I wonder how many thought about their family’s emergency plan, which includes three days – at least – of food. That is certainly true when roads are impassable. Just ask anyone who made anxious calls to elderly parents to make sure they weren’t running out of food.

There’s much more to preparedness than that and there’s plenty of information on the City of Renton Web site at rentonwa.gov.

Preparing for winter, even a relatively benign one, should include getting a good set of snow tires and chains, especially if you live on one of Renton’s hills.

Frankly, if someone complained about the snowy roads, it’s probably because they weren’t prepared.

We learned a lot in this storm – including that the city is blessed with a dedicated crew of street maintenance and other public works workers.

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