Goodbye summer: Hello Alaska winter season Published Sept. 25, 2009 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- As the summer sun sets earlier; the darkness signals the changing of the seasons. The crisp air and morning low temperatures announce the beginning of the snow removal season, and the reactivation of the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron's "Snow Team." The snow team keeps installation runways, airdrome, roads and parking areas clear and safe. Thus, enabling Team Elmendorf to safely execute its mission. We all share the responsibility of ensuring a safe snow season. These tips will help expedite snow removal, prevent accidents and return the base to normal operations as quickly as possible: · Pick-up or remove items and debris around base facilities and housing units that will damage snow removal equipment. · Facility managers with entrances on the airfield can stop by the snow barn to pick up sodium acetate, which should only be applied to the airfield side. · Facility managers should develop plans for vehicle movement before arranging or requesting snow removal, and ask the dos and don'ts of snow removal. · Before using unit-owned or truck-mounted plows, facility managers must contact the snow barn for instructions on how to plow and where to stockpile snow. · Facility managers must post parking lots as "closed" after requesting snow removal operations; parking lots with vehicles left in them may not be cleared of snow. · People going on a temporary duty assignment should park in long-term "deployment" parking areas and make arrangements to have their vehicles moved, as needed, throughout the winter months. · Snow removal operators are under strict instructions to immediately stop work when children are seen near snow removal locations. Parents should instruct children on the dangers associated with snow operations: · Operators have narrowed fields of vision. · Operators have extremely limited hearing over the equipment noise. · Snow tunnels and forts can be unstable and collapse without warning. · Playing near icy roads or snow removal vehicles is a means 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. Important numbers for the winter season: Housing snow removal: Aurora Military Housing - 753-1023, 753-1024 or 753-1091 Base roads, facilities and parking lots: Snow Barn dispatch - 552-2994 or 552-2995 Airfield snow removal: Base operations - 552-2107 Straight Talk Line: 3rd Wing Public Affairs - 552-0101 for current road and emergency conditions The snow team 24/7 shift operations begin Oct. 11. They will be using all available resources to keep Team Elmendorf running throughout the winter. The team has a priority schedule and will get to problem areas as soon as possible. (Information courtesy of the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron)