Some people have to be out on the slick roads and some people have no choice but to send them there.

We stopped by the Eau Claire County dispatch center right around the time it started snowing, and things were pretty quiet, but dispatchers know how quickly that can change.

"All the 911 lights can light up and it can go to heck in a hand basket in a matter of seconds," says Julie Smith, a supervisor at the center.

Smith is a 16-year veteran with the communication center.

She says snowy roads mean stressful nights behind the phones.

"Sometimes we don't get a break to get food or a drink for three or four hours if the phones don't give up."

Smith says along with crashes, slide-ins and fender benders...

"life goes on, the regular phone calls still come in"

...she still has to send firefighters and medical workers out to any other emergency that comes up. And deal with a lot of other safe, but stressed out people.

"The public thinks we have control over tow trucks, plows and city streets and we don't. But, if you call here, you're taking me away from a 911 call and I can't help you anyway," Smith says.

Like so many others in law enforcement Smith says your best bet is to stay off the roads.
She says she sends the most crews to busy roads with a lot of stop lights.
If you do have to head out, she says make sure you take it slow.