I was listening to the fireman last year who operate the equipment on their
radio frequency. Despite snow being forecast they had to retrieve some of
the snow clearing equipment from various parts of the airport, as it wasn't
on standby. De-icer booms would not open out, grip testers would not function and snowploughs would not start. A fireman throwing a stick at a
dog with a broom tied to its tail would have had more impact on snow
clearance at Luton last year.