Snow call methods

Published Dec. 17, 2013
By Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Snow lying on top of icy and frozen roads can make for a dangerous and sometimes deadly morning commute to base, but following base inclement weather procedures and using operational risk management can help reduce that risk.

During delayed reporting, non-essential personnel must comply with established procedures to allow snow removal crews to clear roads and parking lots with minimal obstructions for maximum safety.

When it snows overnight, Col. Chuck Arnold, 21st Mission Support Group commander, representatives from the 21st Civil Engineer and 21st Security Forces Squadrons, public affairs, and an individual from base weather have a conference call at about 4 a.m. to determine whether to have normal reporting, delayed reporting for non-mission essential personnel, or potentially a base closure.

The mission support group commander gives the wing commander a recommendation, and the decision regarding opening the base is usually made by 4:30 a.m., but is subject to change based on weather conditions.

The decision is then disseminated through local media, the Peterson snow call line, 21st Space Wing Facebook page and through text alerts. Even if no delay is called, Team Pete personnel should take into consideration their own driving capabilities as well as road conditions in their area.

If delayed reporting is required, members will hear a "report no earlier than" time as opposed to a two-hour delay. This change was made last year to address problems during previous snow calls.

"Last February, 21st Space Wing leadership, along with leadership at Cheyenne Mountain AFS and Schriever AFB went to the current practice of announcing a "no earlier than" time for reporting, retiring the old two-hour delay method," said Col. Michael Hough, 21st Space Wing vice commander. "The rationale for the change was non-mission essential commuters were showing up for work when the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron plows were still trying to clear roads, which created a safety hazard."

Giving snow removal crews ample time to properly and safely remove snow and prep road surfaces for travel is critical to ensure safety for installation personnel and maintaining base readiness.

A large number of employees on the installation begin their duty day as early as 6 a.m. and during the old process of a two-hour delay, they would often arrive on base before the civil engineer squadron was ready for commuters, Hough said. Additionally, leadership found that the NET approach, especially when set at 9:30 a.m. or later, provides the city with ample time to ensure major roadways are passable, he added.

"We're striving to do what is best for the majority of our personnel--to provide safe conditions for their commute," he said.

The NET approach still provides challenges because it does result in increased traffic at the gates at one time; however, on snow days the 21st SFS assigns additional personnel to the gates to help minimize impact to commuters.

When the snow starts falling later in the day, a phased early release process is used to reduce traffic on base and promote safety for Team Pete personnel living off the installation. Personnel are divided into three zones based on their home address. Zone three, which includes those living farthest away from the installation, is the first to release, followed by zone two, and finally zone one, which is specific to those living on Peterson Air Force Base. A map of the release zones can be found online at www.peterson.af.mil.

Whether it is delayed reporting or an early release, one thing is certain - staying connected to Peterson AFB is important to finding the most up-to-date information on the reporting status.

"Now that we've entered the winter season, being connected with base communication outlets is critical to ensure the proper information is disseminated and we are all being safe about our travel," said Hough.

For information on the most current reporting status, call the snow call line at 556-SNOW (Peterson AFB), 474-3333 (Cheyenne Mountain), or 567-SNOW (Schriever AFB), "Like" the Peterson AFB: 21st Space Wing Facebook page, or to receive text alerts, text "follow PAFBAlert" to 40404 and then reply "on."