Base officials emphasize delayed reporting procedures

  • Published
  • By Jon Scudder
  • 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  There is no telling when the Anchorage Bowl will be hit with the next large snowfall. When this does happen again, members need to be aware of base procedures during inclement weather.

When winter weather makes driving conditions hazardous for Elmendorf drivers, base officials have three options:

Mission essential reporting: Only mission essential people, as determined by unit commanders and supervisors, are required to report to duty. Unit commanders must specifically identify who they determine as mission essential in advance. If you have not been told, ask your supervisor today.

Delayed reporting: All members report for duty while exercising caution and arriving as soon as conditions permit. Expected reporting time will be specified and will normally be 10 a.m.

Early release: Unit commanders are responsible for managing early release within their organization, when the wing commander initiates this action. The goal is to stagger departure times to alleviate congestion and to allow those who live farthest from the base to leave first.

"These options give us the flexibility to balance safety and mission needs in response to weather situations," said Col. Mark Chance, 3rd Mission Support Group commander. "However, this is Alaska, and with snow and ice no stranger to the area you can expect these options to be used infrequently. So when conditions at home are severe enough to warrant changes to normal reporting times and no option has been directed, people must coordinate with their supervisors and unit commanders to modify arrival times and work schedules."

When the wing commander decides to initiate any of these actions, the command post is notified and disseminates the information. The public affairs office notifies local radio stations and updates the Straight Talk Line at 552-0101.

Elmendorf members can expect to receive the information as early as possible, but decisions will normally be made by 4:30 a.m.

If the base goes into mission-essential reporting, dining facilities, and lodging will always continue to operate to the maximum extent possible to meet the needs of customers, officials said. However, Army and Air Force Exchange Service facilities may be closed. Call the facilities for operating hours.

"People operating vehicles on Elmendorf during inclement weather need to slow down and drive with the conditions of the roadways," said Colonel Chance. "Speed, following too closely, and decreased visibility are major adversaries to safe driving."

Nothing is more important than the safety of our forces and families, added the colonel.

Road condition advisories for Elmendorf fall into four categories according to wing instructions:

Green: Roads are clear and dry. Drivers will comply with normal vehicle operating procedures and posted speed limits.

Amber: It has been determined that roads may be slippery due to snow, ice or reduced visibility. Operators will exercise caution and reduce speeds by 5 mph below the posted speed.

Red: It has been determined that roads may be hazardous due to snow, ice, or reduced visibility. Only operate mission essential vehicles. Drivers of mission essential vehicles will exercise caution and reduce speeds by 10 mph, below the posted speed limit. Operators will exercise extreme caution, minimize vehicle dispatches.

Black: It has been determined that road conditions are extremely hazardous due to ice, snow, or reduced visibility. Vehicle dispatching is prohibited unless directed by command authority. Only operate emergency response vehicles. Drivers of the emergency response vehicles will exercise caution and reduce speeds by 15 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.

"A good dose of common sense, slower speeds and increased spacing between vehicles will help everyone get to their destination unscathed," added Colonel Chance.