MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As the snow starts to fall Thursday, Dec. 19 throughout southeastern Wisconsin, Milwaukee's Department of Public Works said they are ready and prepared to take on the wintry conditions.

Officials called for a general ice control operation at 8 a.m., which brought out 103 trucks for salting and other cold weather preparations.

Jeff Kluslow with DPW told CBS 58 their crews started the day by tackling side streets and residential areas, so that when the snow fell harder later on through the night, they could turn their focus to the main roads.

"Hopefully that salt will help minimize the impact in those side streets," Kluslow said, noting that it takes a bit for the salt to kick in and start working. "Once they are satisfactory and safe then we will move back into the districts and just keep pivoting back and forth to keep everything open."

Kluslow said they work under what they call the "3 T's" -- time, traffic, and temperature.

As for what they're asking from drivers?

"At least give us a couple hundred feet so if we have to make a sudden stop, then you're able to stop," Kluslow said. "We don't want to cause accidents out there. We're out there trying to prevent them."