In warmer weather, Gerald Baker and his crew work on projects like digging up an overgrown tree from a parking lot. But in winter, Baker is a road warrior, working endless hours to keep the roads clear of snow.

This year, just like last, there aren’t enough people doing the job.

“This will be the shortest we've been in the 15 years I've been here," says Gerald Baker, a heavy equipment construction supervisor for Warren County.

In Warren County, where Baker works, they’re facing big snowplow driver shortages heading into the winter. Baker’s foreman, DPW Foreman Jessica Barton, says underwhelming wages and expensive commercial driver’s license training could be why more people aren’t applying.

“Being short just one or two people can take a toll on the entire crew with, you know, having to work longer hours. You don't get to go home to your families," Barton said.

Kevin Hajos is a superintendent of public works in the county and says the lack of snowplow drivers is not unique to his area.

“We are 16 drivers down right now going into this winter. It's statewide at the county level. It's like that at most counties throughout the state," Hajos said.

Hajos says If there aren’t enough plow drivers, it has a ripple effect on the community.

“If emergency vehicles can't get down the road, then that kind of pinpoints back on us that, ‘hey, you didn't clear the roads in time.’ The bottom line, though, is if I don't have the staff to do it and then I'm stuck," Hajos said.

If the snow gets bad and there’s an emergency declared by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the state Department of Transportation does have the ability to send plow drivers to help out municipalities. Some counties are also offering grants for commercial driver’s license training as an incentive for applicants.

At the end of the day, no matter how short-staffed, Baker and his team will work however long is needed to get the job done.

“Mother Nature doesn't care what time it snows. During the summer, we can work around rain and stuff such as that. But come winter, when it snows, it snows," Baker said.