Snow removal procedures for the Alaskan winter season

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  As the Alaskan summer comes to a close and the winter season approaches another snow removal season gears up. The changing of the seasons signals the start of snow removal and the reactivation of the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron's "Snow Team."
 
The Snow Team's mission is to keep installation runways, airdrome, roads and parking areas clear and safe, enabling Elmendorf's personnel to safely execute the mission. 

We all share the responsibility of ensuring a safe snow removal season as well as expediting snow removal to return the base to normal operations as quickly as possible.

Here are some important tips: 

· Pick-up or remove items/debris around base facilities and housing units that will impede or damage snow removal equipment 

· Purchase/use only authorized snow/ice melt chemicals at airfield facilities 

· Facility Managers should develop plans for vehicle movement prior to arranging/requesting snow removal and get some expert advice on the do's and don'ts of snow removal 

· Prior to using unit-owned truck-mounted plows, facility managers MUST contact the snow barn for instructions on how to plow and where to stockpile snow 

· Facility Managers post parking lots as closed upon requesting snow removal operations, parking lots with vehicles left in them may not be cleared of snow 

· Personnel going TDY should park in long term "deployment" parking areas and make arrangements to have their vehicles moved as needed throughout the winter months 

· Operators are under strict instructions to immediately stop operations when children are seen near snow removal locations. 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 recipe for disaster 

· Maintain a 75-foot clearance from all snow removal equipment
 
· Yield right-of-way to snow removal equipment 

· Slow down - speed limits are reduced during snow and icing conditions

Important numbers for the winter season: 

Housing snow removal: Aurora Military Housing at 753-1023/1024/1091
Base roads/facilities/parking lots: Snow Barn dispatch at 552-2994/2995
Airfield snow removal: Base Operations at 552-2107
Straight Talk Line: 3rd Wing Public Affairs at 552-0101 for current road/emergency conditions

Wing O-PLAN 32-1002, located on TOPCOVER
https://portal.elmendorf.af.mil/default.aspx, contains priority listings and general guidance during snow operations. 

The Snow Team will begin 24/7 shift operations Oct. 19 and will be using all available resources to keep Team Elmendorf running throughout the winter. The Snow Team have a priority schedule and will get to problem areas as soon as possible. 

The Snow Team would like to thank the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron for their outstanding efforts in preparation for this snow season. Their summer rebuild program ensures the snow team is ready before the first flake falls; their support throughout the season ensures the Snow Team's equipment stays on the flightline and base thoroughfares, remaining mission ready.