I don't work for a dpw or any state or city but I will say one the things that has hampered the response to freezing rain or drizzle is the lack of sand. Sand is all but outlawed in many areas of the country for use since it is really considered a pollutant now. Does anybody remember the beaches that would be left on the sides of the roads after the winter? Sand is really the only thing that will remain on the road after a storm. Brine washes away quickly if there is any rain at all.
That said a storm like this does require a heavy response to keep the roads clear of ice. De-icers and liquids will wash away within minutes of being applied so constant applications are necessary and pretreating is only good for about an hour (maybe less) depending on how heavy it's raining. All that said, if you apply nothing then that is guaranteeing failure.