As snow falls, AF members should prepare Published Dec. 11, 2007 By Master Sgt. Derek Crist 21st Civil Engineer Squadron PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- During winter weather, one of the most important missions at Peterson AFB 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," said Col. Manuel Hidalgo, 21st Mission Support Group commander. Employees at Peterson AFB have several avenues to check for information: Peterson Snow Call Line at 556-SNOW, local television and radio stations, or www.peterson.af.mil. Here's the process: when snow and icy conditions develop at Peterson, a team of experts from across the wing recommends a course of action to protect base personnel. First, the on-duty 21st Security Forces Squadron flight chief will inspect on-base road conditions. The flight chief also assesses the local driving conditions and coordinates with key agencies including the law enforcement desks at Schriever Air Force Base, the U.S. Air Force Academy and Fort Carson, as well as the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the City of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Department of Transportation. The 21 MSG commander then convenes a teleconference with the security forces, civil engineers and base weather. Once a course of action is decided, the 21st MSG commander recommends the course of action to the 21st Space Wing commander or vice commander. Finally, the wing commander instructs the wing operation center to implement snow call procedures and in-turn the wing public affairs office updates the local media. Timely communication is the key element when determining road conditions and base reporting procedures to ensure personnel remain safe, aware and prepared. When snow operations begin for the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, 41 of our finest engineers begin working to make Peterson roadways as safe as possible. Their efforts are focused on keeping all roadways clear and accessible for emergency vehicles. Of course with the airfield being their highest priority, drivers may not see improvements immediately on some secondary roadways, but rest assured they will get to all areas. What 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. Phased Early Release Non-mission essential personnel and non-emergency personnel must depart their duty locations at a specified time before the end of the normal duty day. Phased release of personnel will occur at three 30-minute intervals according to the area where they live. This phased release reduces the congestion of traffic departing Peterson. "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," Colonel Hidalgo said. Delayed Reporting Delayed reporting authorizes non-essential personnel additional time to safely report to duty. delayed reporting is used when off-base conditions are such that additional time is required for road crews to make conditions safer. Delayed reporting is also designed to give on-base snow removal teams time to prepare the base for normal activities following a major winter storm. Plan to arrive no earlier than 30 minutes prior to the delayed reporting time to minimize interference with snow removal operations. Those personnel residing on base should consider walking to work to minimize traffic and in the parking lots. Delayed reporting is based on normal duty hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.); it is mandatory for non-essential personnel to comply. In a two-hour delay, for example, all non-essential personnel will plan to arrive at 9:30 a.m. and not earlier than 9 a.m. If you are scheduled for gate guard duty during delayed reporting you are required to show up two hours later for duty to help out until traffic subsides. 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. Mission essential personnel are defined as the minimum number required to keep critical activities functioning until additional support arrives. These personnel include but are not limited to firefighters, security forces, command and control, snow removal, medical personnel, dining facility workers, designated child care workers, and designated shift workers. Commanders and supervisors must identify positions they determine to be critical and essential and ensure the appropriate personnel are notified. Non-Essential Personnel Personnel that could be delayed for short periods of time (hours to days) without serious mission impact. Commanders and supervisors must identify non-essential positions and ensure the appropriate personnel are notified. Sources of information: Peterson Snow Call Line Call the Peterson Snow Call Line at 556-SNOW (7669). Note that due to the potential for a large volume of calls, the snow call line may be busy. Call back periodically, or check TV stations or other sources listed to get the information. Television Radio Channel 5/30 - KOAA FM 95.1 - KATC Channel 11 - KKTV FM 96.9 - KCCY Channel 13 - KRDO FM 99.9 - KVUU Channel 21 - KXRM FM 101.9 - KGDQ (En Español) World Wide Web AM 740 - KVOR www.peterson.af.mil www.flashnews.net/rocky.html 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 and it is uncertain when they can make it back through your areas. The teams can clear roads much more quickly and efficiently if there is little or no traffic on the roads, 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 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. All facilities should now have a snow removal schedule, snow shovels and plenty of ice-melt on hand. "During snow/ice events, building managers should also ensure that entrances, exits and handicap areas are slip-free." Colonel Hidalgo said. Safety is everyone's business and all occupants should be looking for ways to help out. Chief Master Sgt. Cynthia Solomito and Colonel Hidalgo frequently aid in snow removal efforts at building 350 and others on base should follow by example. Additionally, remember that our base grounds contractor's are only responsible for common sidewalks and 100 feet from each facility. Base housing residents Base housing is now privatized and residents will see a dramatic change in their responsibilities during the snow season. Tierra Vista, the property managers for housing, has contracted Embassy Landscaping to perform snow removal for residents. Embassy will begin snow removal once the snow has accumulated to two inches, and they will continue removing snow until it the accumulation has stopped. Embassy will also be removing snow in resident driveways and the walkways that lead to the front door, providing there are no vehicles in the driveway. In the event that a vehicle is parked in the driveway, Embassy will plow around it if possible.