When the first flakes fly, most of us think about shoveling driveways or warming up our cars. At Rochester International Airport (RST), the stakes are a little higher – and the work starts long before the first storm hits.
We talked with Troy Reed, Airport Fire Chief and Operations Supervisor for the Rochester Airport Company, about what goes into keeping runways safe and planes moving through Minnesota winters. With nearly three decades of experience, Troy has seen it all – from record-breaking snowfalls to nights spent ensuring organs, lab samples, and patients can reach Mayo Clinic safely.
Prepping for Winter: Tools, Training, and Teamwork
Each fall, RST’s 15-member operations crew completes intensive winter operations training. “We go pretty in-depth, especially if we have new staff members,” Reed said. “We review the triggers – when to start moving snow, who calls who, and how we coordinate with the tower.”
Every plow, broom, and blower is inspected and tuned after sitting idle through the summer. Crews pump out drainage basins, stake 3½ miles of service road with fiberglass markers, and mark airfield trouble spots where snow tends to drift or pile up.
It’s a lot of prep work, but it pays off when that first storm hits, Reed said. “We like to say we’re part-time weathermen – sometimes better than the TV news, and sometimes not.”
The Snow Battle Plan
RST’s winter arsenal includes brooms, plows, blowers, pushers, and a command vehicle, each with a critical role.
- Brooms are the first line of defense, brushing away light accumulation before it can compact.
- Plows follow to move deeper drifts.
- Blowers clear the heaviest snowbanks.
- The command vehicle, driven by Troy or his colleague Zach, coordinates communication between the tower and the airfield team.
Runways at RST are crowned for drainage and grooved for traction. “Planes don’t have snow tires,” Reed explained. “So our triggers for snow removal are a lot faster than MnDOT’s. As soon as we get full coverage, the brooms are rolling.”
A Mission That Matters
Because RST supports Mayo Clinic’s critical flights, from organ transport to medical samples, winter readiness has life-and-death implications.
“People might not realize how many flights come in after hours,” Reed said. “There are dedicated aircraft bringing in samples or organs overnight. We know the work we’re doing affects families all across the country.”
That sense of purpose keeps morale high, even during long, snowy stretches. “When the big storms hit, the pettiness of the day-to-day disappears,” Reed said. “Everyone’s working toward the same goal: safe travel. Management will sometimes grab lunch for the team or bring in snacks. It’s a small gesture that means a lot.”
Reed added: “If my family were on that plane, I’d want to know we’ve done everything we can to make conditions safe. That’s how we look at every flight.”
What Travelers Should Know
- Check your flight status early. Winter weather anywhere in the network – especially hubs like Chicago or Minneapolis – can affect departures from RST.
- Plan extra time. Even though RST is a smaller, easy-to-navigate airport, heavy snow can slow travel on local roads near the airport.
- Be patient with airline staff. Delays are often beyond local control, and teams are working hard to keep everyone safe.
