(ABC 6 News) – Officials say the best thing you can do is slow down when winter weather hits.

“You know there’s no hurry. You’re gonna get home eventually,” said Leela Teagen.

Winter storm warnings have taken over southeastern Minnesota. First responders and their equipment have been preparing all week for the snowfall.

“We used to have regular cars not four-wheel drive vehicles, so now that we’ve transitioned to a fully four-wheel drive fleet, it makes our response a lot more reliable,” said Captain Jonathan Jacobson with the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office.

OSCO says it’s all hands-on deck during a snowstorm like this. But just because emergency vehicles are out on the roads doesn’t mean you should be.

“Please use caution when you’re out there driving. You know we understand there are things you have to do, but if you can limit or maybe make other plans, we would really appreciate that,” said Jacobson.

The crews trying to get the roads clear appreciate your cautious driving too. Tony Wolf and his fellow plow drivers at MnDOT have been working tirelessly since before the first flakes fell.

Tony’s route is Highway 52 from 75 Street all the way down to Highway 63. Keep in mind, he’s got three lanes on each side of the highway to clear; that means 3 round-trips that take about an hour a piece.

Tony says there’s a lot to go over before they head out.

“We go through and do our pre-shift before we come in here. Check all the lights to make sure everything is working,” said Tony.

He and the drivers take pride their work knowing they have their communities relying on them.

“It is a sacrifice and it’s not for everybody, but I think the folks here care about safety you know I think if you listen to Tony, he envisions his family and friends using those roads and think that’s the care all of our folks use,” said Mike Dougherty with MnDOT.

Tony has been working with the state for 28 years he’s seen way too many people try to speed to get around plows or get too close and it usually never ends well.

So, if you see emergency crews and plow out on the roads, “Drive slow and if it’s stormy out. Don’t try to speed up and just take your time,” said Broderick Bryngeson, a Minnesota commuter.