JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- As summer ends, we move into another winter. In the seasons past, Mother Nature has taught us she is in control – so get ready, because here she comes.
Last year was one of our best snow seasons in a while, finally bringing us a real winter; so as the temperature begins to drop, we can be sure snow will soon follow. When the snow starts to hit the ground, the 773rd Civil Engineer Squadron’s snow team will be ready for action.
The team’s mission is to keep installation runways, airdrome, roads and parking areas clear and safe, and to permit Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson personnel to safely execute their mission. We all share the responsibility of ensuring a safe snow season. To help us serve the base populace better, below are a few tips to keep in mind.
Doing so will allow us to expedite snow removal operations, prevent accidents, and return the base to normal operations as quickly as possible.
• Pick up or remove items or debris around facilities and parking areas that will impede or damage s now re-moval equipment.
• Facility managers with entrances on the airfield can stop by the snow barn and pick up sodium acetate which should only be applied on/within the airfield boundaries.
• Facility managers should develop plans for vehicle movement prior to requesting snow removal operations. Don’t hesitate to get expert advice.
• Prior to using unit-owned truck-mounted plows, facility managers must contact the snow barn for instructions on how to plow/snow removal strategies and where to stockpile snow. This will eliminate wasted efforts.
• Facility managers need to mark parking lots “closed” upon requesting snow removal operations. Parking lots with vehicles in them may not be cleared of snow to avoid potential accidents.
• Personnel going on temporary duty assignments should park in long term “deployment” parking areas and make arrangements to have their vehicles moved as needed throughout the winter.
• Operators are under strict instructions to immediately stop operations when children are near snow removal locations. Instruct children about the dangers associated with snow removal operations, and emphasize the risks. Operators have narrowed fields of vision and limited hearing due to equipment. Snow tunnels and forts can be unstable and collapse without warning, and playing near icy roads or snow removal vehicles is a recipe for disaster.
• Maintain a 75-foot clearance from all snow removal equipment.
• Yield right-of-way to snow removal equipment.
• Slow down and drive according to road conditions – speed limits are reduced during snow and icy conditions.
For housing-area snow removal, contact Aurora Military Housing; on JBER-Elmenforf, call 753 -1051/1091; on JBER-Richardson, call 334-6000.
For snow removal on base roads or at facilities and parking lots, contact the 773d CES at 552-3726/3727.
For current road conditions or emergency warnings, call the 673d Air Base Wing Public Affairs Straight Talk line, at
552-0101. The Public Affairs office also updates the installation website and Facebook page with road conditions
and other alerts.
The snow team will begin 24/7 shift operations starting Oct. 8, and will be using all available resources to keep JBER running smoothly throughout the winter. They have a priority schedule and will get to the problem areas as soon as possible.