Winter safety -- a task shared by all

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joshua Stevens
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  As winter closes in on Ellsworth, the weather is more of a threat, and many roads become treacherous; knowing the proper procedures for these occurrences helps insure the safety of the base community. 

"Being aware of current road conditions and observing base practices should be the highest priority for anyone driving on Ellsworth," said Col. Renita Alexander, 28th Mission Support Group commander. 

The base has three road conditions in place to be observed by its motorists: green, yellow and red, Colonel Alexander said. 

In condition green, normal installation and traffic rules are in effect; condition yellow warrants a 10 mph reduction in the maximum speed limit posted, and drivers are further cautioned to remain clear of all snow removal equipment; in condition red, all motorists must observe a maximum speed limit of 10 mph on general roadways and 5 mph in family housing areas -- limited to essential travel only. 

Essential travel refers to military personnel on duty, family members traveling to a place of employment, emergencies and situations of the like, Colonel Alexander said. 

The mission support group commander decides on road condition levels based on recommendations from the 28th Security Forces Squadron. 

"Security Forces takes into consideration how slick the roads are when we recommend a road condition change," said Master Sgt. Clarence Barry, 28th Security Forces Squadron operations section chief. "If we are driving at 15 mph and having trouble with traction, we will recommend a change to condition yellow. Usually we only have to recommend a change to red once or twice a year." 

If a military member commits a traffic infraction during condition red, they can accumulate up to eight points on their driving record for reckless driving combined with driving too fast for conditions. After 12 points in one year, a member can lose their driving privileges, Sergeant Barry said. 

Road condition recommendations may also be accompanied by one of four weather emergency terms established for the base: base closure, early dismissal, delayed reporting and late reporting, Colonel Alexander said. 

A base closure will occur if a severe condition develops before the start of the normal daytime work shift and the commander declares the base closed for the day. 

Early dismissal occurs when a severe condition develops during the work day which warrants dismissal of all non-mission essential staff. Release will be phased following the establishment of the H-Hour. 

The H-Hour is the time designated by the wing commander when units are authorized to begin releasing staff members. Phased early releases will be authorized based on the location of a person's residence. 

When a condition exists prior to the normal daytime work schedule that only warrants a specific amount of base closure, it will be referred to as delayed reporting. Non-mission essential personnel will report to duty sections at specified times, while mission-essential personnel will report at normal hours. 

Similar to delayed reporting, late reporting grants a supervisor the authority to allow his/her subordinates an additional two hours of tardiness if they are not essential to the mission. 

Members are reminded to note that all road condition declarations are independent of installation operational conditions, Colonel Alexander said. 

A declaration of road condition red does not necessarily warrant an early dismissal, nor does a base closure always correlate with current road conditions, as base closures are directed by the base commander, and road conditions stem from recommendations made by security forces, she said. 

Motorists should also ensure that their vehicle contains a winter survival kit which includes water, candy bars, blankets, a flashlight and cat litter or salt for added traction, Sergeant Barry said. 

"The biggest thing is that people need to slow down, leave a little earlier for work, allow more space between vehicles and increase their braking distance, because they can cost someone their life," Sergeant Barry said. "I don't want to be the one who has to give a death notification just because someone was in a hurry." 

For current road conditions, tune into AM 1610 or call (605) 385-ROAD(7623), and for more information on base procedures, consult Ellsworth Air Force Base Instructions 10-207 and 31-204.