For deputies at the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the start of this week was “just a regular Monday, but with snow,” according to Cristie Hopkins, director of media and public relations. Remaining open and fully staffed, police had already assisted seven distressed motorists and responded to six motor vehicle crashes on county roads by noon as the first major winter storm of the season held strong.

“This is an increase over a day with no weather event,” Hopkins said.

Maryland State Police also responded to three motor vehicle crashes, all involving property damage, on state roads between Sunday and Tuesday, records show.

In total, Harford County received between 3 and 4 inches of snow from Sunday evening into Monday, according to a report from the National Weather Service. The county received a similar amount last Jan. 19 — 4.2 inches.

Hopkins said that all sheriff’s deputies are equipped with tools and gear to complete their responsibilities in any kind of weather, and that a patrol support vehicle equipped with additional tools is always on standby. This vehicle possesses larger machinery, such as chainsaws, for weather-related emergencies.

In a Facebook post published Sunday by the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, personnel gained attention for filling 5-gallon Home Depot buckets with salt “to help make a safe path through snow-covered or icy areas for patient transport, or provide additional traction to free a stuck vehicle.” The post received more than 400 likes and included a photo of Battalion Chief Drew Oudin and Logistics Coordinator John Richter surrounded by 26 orange buckets.

“Harford County EMS crews took extra precautions to ensure the safety of patients and first responders,” said Matt Button, public information officer with Harford County government, who noted that every ambulance received a bucket of salt and a shovel.

Button said that none of the 17 ambulances in service on Monday required the use of shovels or salt, as each operated effectively in four-wheel drive. No incidents or mishaps involving ambulances were reported, nor were any accidents reported with sheriff’s office patrol vehicles.

The county communications center received 226 calls on Monday, including 92 EMS responses and 28 fire responses, although Button said this was a below-average number in comparison to days with no weather events. He said that only routine motor vehicle crashes were reported and that there were no major incidents caused by the snow on Monday or Tuesday.

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