Mt. Redoubt awareness/preparedness

  • Published
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  To monitor Mount Redoubt's status, please visit http://www.avo.alaska.edu/.

To learn more about what you can do to make sure you and your family are prepared for an eruption, please visit http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/ and view EAFB Volcano Health Info.

The following information is provided by the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron for your awareness in case of a volcanic eruption:

1) Be familiar with on- and off-base warning systems and emergency
plans; 3rd CES/CEX and your unit Emergency Management representatives can
provide additional information if your unit requires it; review applicable
unit/org checklists.

CES, in conjunction w/ facility managers, will work required HVAC/R
system requirements; ash fall and weather/temp will influence shut-down vs
increased maintenance for those systems that cannot be shut-down

2) If indoors, close all windows, doors, and dampers; plan to move as much
equipment, vehicles and assets inside/under cover (e.g. garage, storage area
or hangar) as possible; alternative (similar to what we do for contamination
avoidance) is to cover assets w/ plastic, tarps, or other materials.

3) If outdoors, cover your mouth and nose. Volcanic ash can irritate your
respiratory system. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Keep skin covered
to avoid irritation from contact with ash.

4) Have disaster supplies on hand: Flashlight with extra batteries, first
aid kit, emergency food and water, non-electric can opener, essential
medicines, etc.

5) Avoid driving to extent possible in heavy ashfall. Driving will stir up
ash, clog engines and stall vehicles.

6) Stay indoors until local health officials advise it is safe to go
outside. Refer to Elmendorf AFB Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
(CEMP) 10-2 for additional information, Annex 5 for volcanoes.

7) Prior to a volcanic eruption you should ensure you have enough trash bags, plastic and tape to cover all of your electronic equipment.

8) If a volcano erupts and a plume of ash is expected to pass over Elmendorf AFB, you will be asked to: Safely power off all electronics. (ex. computers, monitors, printers,
phones, faxes, copiers, UPS etc) Cover them with trash bags (or other plastic) and tape it down to protect equipment from ashes. Also cover and tape down all air vents, doors, and windows in the room.