City offers medical priority snow removal applications

The City of Bella Vista is now accepting medical priority snow removal applications for the 2017-18 winter season.

Each year, the city compiles a list of residents who will have snow removal priority due to medical conditions including only chemotherapy, radiation, dialysis and home hospice care.

The form can be obtained at City Hall or found online at http://www.bellavistaar.gov/streetdepartment. Completed forms are accepted all winter long, as medical needs may arrive unexpectedly. The form requires a doctor’s name and the resident’s contact information, as well as the day and time of regular appointments. Appointment days and times cannot be adjusted on a daily basis during severe weather.

Submitting the form is no guarantee the street will be cleared by the requested time, but the streets are placed on the priority list and the department will do its best to address them by the departure times listed. During a major winter weather event, major roads will be cleared first before secondary streets.

It is important to note, the streets on the list will not be cleared a second time in one day for patients’ return trip home after treatment. The primary goal of the program is to get residents out to receive their life-saving treatments.

It is recommended that residents travel prior to a storm if they are scheduled to have a surgery performed that cannot be rescheduled and severe weather is predicted. It is also recommended to replenish supplies such as oxygen and medications ahead of winter weather events. Remember to keep your propane tanks filled in advance and to call 911 for any emergencies.