Civil Engineers establish snow removal priorities

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Terry Rembold
  • 354th Civil Engineering Squadron
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The 354th Civil Engineer Squadron will be out in force plowing runways and roads and taking steps to make driving easier for Eielson residents this winter. But everyone is still accountable to be prepared and know their responsibilities. Here are some key cold-weather policies and safety responsibilities to follow to make the winter as hazard-free as possible.

SNOW REMOVAL:
On main base, keeping entrances, sidewalks and driveways free of ice and snow is a primary responsibility of building managers. Snow must be removed within 50 feet of each building 24 hours after each snowfall. Icy areas should have sand or de-icer spread on them to improve traction. Don't use salt or calcium chloride because it damages concrete and causes corrosion problems. It is each unit's responsibility to procure sand and de-icer for their respective areas. Please call CE customer service at 377-2100 for assistance with difficult- to-remove ice formations.

Snow removal is done based solely on mission priority. Flightline and emergency response operations are a priority, followed by main base access roads then family housing areas and finally parking lots. If snow begins to fall while CE members are working on the streets and parking lots, crews are redirected to ensure the flightline remains operational.

Motorists and residents need to be patient during snow removal operations. Do not enter streets closed for snow removal and maintain a safe distance from snow removal equipment. Please warn children not to build snow caves near the road or in snow piles made by snow removal equipment.

USE OF Head Bolt Outlets:
Vehicles on base may be plugged in when the outside temperature reaches or is predicted to fall to 10 degrees below zero. Diesel vehicles may be plugged in at 15 degrees and all vehicles equipped with energy saver plugs can be plugged in at 20 degrees. ESPs turn off automatically when the engine is warm and kick back on when the engine cools off. Diesel vehicles and those equipped with ESP's must have a waiver sticker on the vehicle's windshield. Stickers are available at CE customer service at 2310 Central Avenue. Residents without a garage may plug in one vehicle at their residence when the temperature is 10 degrees or colder. Do not plug vehicles into outlets inside garages, as the outlets are not rated for vehicle loads and are a fire hazard.

A sign at the Hursey Gate will indicate whether HBO use is authorized. For the latest weather information, call the base weather recording at 377-6127.

MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING:
Snow crews will remove snow and ice from housing streets and common areas; however, please remember that the flightline and emergency response operations have first priority. Always think safety; do not enter streets closed for snow removal, maintain safe distances from snow removal equipment, and above all, ensure children are not in the area of snow removal operations. Heavy equipment operators may not be able to see a child. Do not allow children to make snow caves, as they may collapse and cause injury or suffocation.

From Oct. 1 through March 31, move unattended vehicles to long-term parking, or provide the housing office a name, phone number, and address of a person who will move a vehicle if requested. Airmen in the dorms who will be gone or deployed for an extended period need to let dorm management and their first sergeant know so they may identify locations to safely park an unattended vehicle. This is necessary to facilitate snow removal and street cleaning. Vehicles obstructing street cleaning or snow removal will be towed at the owner's expense.

Remove snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways, porches and patios, mailbox cubicles, and fire hydrants within 24-hours of snowfall. Residents must shovel sidewalks in front of their units and up to 50 feet from their unit in the event they are on a corner. Shovel more often if necessary to prevent packed snow, which makes snow removal extremely difficult. Shoveling snow or ice into streets is prohibited, as it creates a safety hazard.

PARKING:
On-base parking of privately owned vehicles must be in driveways or authorized parking areas only. Curbside parking should be minimized to the fullest extent possible. Residents must make maximum use of assigned garages, parking spaces, and driveways. Vehicles cannot be parked on snow covered grass, seeded or dirt areas.

SNOW MACHINES:
Snow machines must remain stored in garages or the RV lot until the 354th Mission Support Group commander gives the authorization to ride them on base. Snow machines can then be parked in the driveway or on snow-covered, hard frozen lawns. They must be arranged in a neat and orderly fashion when parked in housing. No haul trailers may be kept in the housing area outside the garage unless for loading or unloading.

SNOW MACHINE OPERATION:
Snow machines are not permitted on Eielson AFB except on designated access routes, in designated use areas, and as outlined in 354 FWI 32-7002, Use and Control of Off-Road Vehicles. Operation in the main base area (non-housing areas) is limited to that operation necessary to reach designated use areas. The main base area is not a designated use area; it is a transit area to be used only for access to designated use areas. Operation on streets, other persons lawns, empty housing areas, parking areas are not allowed unless absolutely necessary.

Snow machines will yield the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians at all times. Snow machines will cross roads perpendicular to traffic flow. In the main base area, snow machines will be operated at a minimum throttle setting necessary to maintain forward motion (approximately 5 mph). Operators will take the most direct route to designated use areas and where possible, maintain a minimum of 100 feet separation from any buildings. When a separation of 100 feet is not possible, a route that is halfway between buildings will be used. Snow machines meeting all requirements for on base operation can enter and exit Eielson using A Battery Road. Riders must attend class before operating snow machine on base.

SNOWFALL:
Heavy snowfall results in large amounts of falling, packed snow and ice during spring break-up. Beware of snow and ice sliding or falling from roofs and protect your family and property by moving them away from such hazard areas.

The 354th CES looks forward to a safe snow removal season. For questions, please direct inquiries to military family housing office at 377-1840, or for main base inquiries to CE customer service at 377-2100.