Fall means beginning of snow season Published Sept. 22, 2009 By Maj. Lori Kabel 21st Civil Engineer Squadron PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- During winter weather, one of the most important missions at Peterson is notifying employees about road conditions and whether the base is open or closed. "Our primary objective is to keep the base populace informed in a timely manner to allow them to make sound driving decisions," Col. Emily Buckman, 21st Mission Support Group commander said. Peterson employees can check several avenues for information: the Peterson Snow Call Line at 556-SNOW, local television and radio stations, and www.peterson.af.mil. When snow and ice conditions develop at Peterson, a team of experts from across the wing recommend a course of action to protect base personnel. When questionable weather conditions develop, 21st Security Forces Squadron and 21st CES Airmen will inspect base road and parking conditions. If the road conditions are hazardous, the 21st CES and 21st SFS commanders present a status brief to the 21st MSG commander. Timely communication is the key element when determining road conditions and base reporting procedures. The entire process must be executed in less than an hour to ensure people are informed quickly; safety is the primary consideration throughout the process. When conditions warrant, the 21st MSG commander convenes a formal teleconference with the 21st SFS and 21st CES commanders. Once the commanders agree, the 21st MSG commander recommends a course of action to Col. Stephen Whiting, 21st SW commander or Col. Jim Jennings, 21st SW vice commander. Finally, Colonel Whiting will then instruct the command post to implement snow call procedures while the 21st SW Public Affairs staff will update local media outlets and the base's public Web site www.peterson.af.mil. When snow operations begin, 41 engineers from the 21st CES begin working to make Peterson roadways as safe as possible with an emphasis on keeping all roadways clear and accessible for emergency vehicles. Of course, with the airfield as our highest priority, you may not see improvements immediately on secondary roadways but rest assured they will get to your area. In addition, there will be snow removal operations in the housing area. Terms you should know: Closed Peterson Air Force Base is closed. Military personnel and Department of Defense civilians are not permitted to come or go. Anyone coming on base while it is closed will not be allowed to leave. Mission-essential personnel will remain in place until the base is reopened and their replacements arrive. Early release Non-mission-essential personnel and non-emergency personnel must depart their duty stations before the end of the normal duty day. Phased release of personnel normally occurs at 30-minute intervals to reduce the congestion of traffic departing Peterson. According to Colonel Buckman, "The reason for early release is to provide ample time for picking up their children, make it home safely and allow civil engineers the opportunity to ready the base for the next day." Mission essential only Only mission-essential and emergency personnel should report for duty. Additionally, mission-essential and emergency personnel on Peterson at the time the base is closed must remain on Peterson until the situation clears or replacements arrive. Sources of information available to you www.peterson.af.mil Peterson Snow Call Line 556-SNOW All Peterson personnel may call the snow call line for the latest information on base closures or delays. Due to the potential for a large volume of calls, the snow call line may be busy. Call back periodically, or check local TV stations or other sources listed to get the information. How you can help When the base is placed on a two-hour delay, this means you should begin your commute two hours later than you usually do. This delay gives the snow and ice removal teams time to clear roads and parking lots before you begin your commute. Your parking lot may be skipped if there are cars preventing operations, and with the tight time-line the snow plows are on, it is uncertain when they can make it back through your area. The teams clear roads much more quickly and efficiently if there is little or no traffic and you are kept safe while this operation is ongoing. If you do encounter a snow plow while driving, yield to the vehicle and give it a wide berth. These machines cannot stop quickly and are most likely spreading a de-icer and anti-skid substance mixture behind them. Additionally, you can help by slowing down and allowing additional time for your trips. What facility managers should be doing Facility managers should be readying building occupants for the upcoming snow season. Hopefully your facility has a snow removal schedule, snow shovels and plenty of sand or ice-melt on hand. If facility managers do not have any ice-melt on hand, they can acquire it from 21st CES Supply. "During snow and ice events, building managers should also ensure entrances, exits and handicap areas are slip-free," said Colonel Buckman. Safety is everyone's business and all occupants should be looking for ways to help out. Additionally, remember our base grounds contractors are only responsible for common sidewalks. The organizations are responsible for sidewalks within 100 feet of the facility. Base housing occupants Snow removal will begin once the snow has accumulated to two inches. Removal will continue until the accumulation has subsided. Snow removal for general officers' quarters will begin at one-quarter inch. Snow will also be removed in resident driveways and the walkways up to the front porch, providing there are no vehicles in the driveway. The snow removal company will observe quiet hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. During this time, snow removal will be limited to housing streets only. Snow parade 21st CES is bringing back its annual snow parade. The parade will take place at 3 p.m. Oct. 23. The vehicles will stop for a briefing at the main child development center and proceed down Peterson Boulevard. Please come out and see the snow plows, fire trucks and our special guest, Santa Claus!